By S.Busse (FSWC Educator)

Every year, on November 8, Canada observes Indigenous Veterans Day. For far too long, this day went unrecognized. It honours the thousands of First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals who served in Canada’s armed forces, often sacrificing everything for a country that did not yet see them as equals.

From the First and Second World Wars to Korea and beyond, Indigenous people volunteered for the military in staggering numbers. They fought with distinction -earning medals, respect and a legacy of bravery. But when they returned home, they faced a different kind of battlefield: racism, broken promises and exclusion from the very benefits their non-Indigenous comrades received. Some were not even recognized as Canadian citizens at the time of their enlistment.

Indigenous Veterans Day is more than a commemoration; it’s an act of truth-telling. It’s a reminder that Indigenous service to Canada has always been double-edged: a willingness to protect a nation that often failed to protect them in return.

In the Classroom:

One powerful way educators can mark this day is through storytelling. Introduce students to the story of Tommy Prince, a decorated Anishinaabe soldier from Manitoba, who became one of Canada’s most celebrated war heroes. Ask students to explore how his courage contrasts with the discrimination he faced upon returning home. Then, invite them to write or discuss what true recognition means, and how we can give it.

Veterans’ service should never be remembered selectively. On November 8, we remember Indigenous veterans not only for their heroism but for their continued struggle for justice and acknowledgment.

More Information:

https://www.veterans.gc.ca/en/remembrance/people-and-stories/indigenous-veterans