Honouring Aboriginal Veterans

Aboriginal people have a long history of participating in the defence of Canada. The Haudenosaunee, or Iroquois, fought on the side of the British during the American Revolution and again during the War of 1812. Shawnee Chief Tecumseh, the brilliant military strategist whose tactics and bravery helped push back the American invasion, was killed in the Battle of the Thames on October 5, 1813. Aboriginal participation in Canada's war efforts was proportionately higher than that of any other group of people in Canada. One in three able-bodied Aboriginal men enlisted in the First World War. All the men of the Chippewas of Nawash (on Georgian Bay) enlisted in the First World War. And every man from the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan (Golden Lake), with the exception of three, signed up for service in the First World War. More than 7,000 status Indians fought in the two world wars. Some estimate that the number would be closer to 12,000 if the non-status Indians were included. There were some attempts to create all Indian battions. The 114th Battlion, for example, consisted of Six Nations, Akwesasne and Kahnawake soldiers. Most Native people served in the infantry, partly because that was where the most manpower was needed, but also due to entrance restrictions of the Royal Canadian Air Force. Many were snipers and scouts, and the Government of Canada often received letters from the front praising the work of Aboriginal people in these roles. When our war veterans are honoured on November 11th, let us pay tribute to the Aboriginal volunteers who defended Canada.

Honouring Aboriginal Veterans (PDF 328 Kb) in PDF format.

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