Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Mr. Claude Petit is the President of the National Aboriginal Veterans Association (NAVA), which he helped found in 1981. Mr. Petit's involvement on behalf of Veterans, and in particular of Aboriginal Veterans, includes the development of an outreach program for Aboriginal Veterans. He has also submitted recommendations to the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs regarding the long-term care of Aboriginal Veterans and has provided a strong and effective voice for NAVA nationally. Under his leadership, NAVA has worked closely with the RCL and Veterans Affairs in order to secure benefits to their members. Mr. Petit played a key role in activities surrounding the funding and installation of the National Aboriginal Veterans War Memorial, in Ottawa, which prominently features the three Aboriginal peoples of Canada, Indian, Inuit and Métis. Mr. Petit has represented Aboriginal Veterans at commemorative ceremonies in Korea, Canada and Europe. For the past two years, Mr. Petit was responsible for raising an additional $50,000 to ensure that the monument is properly lit during the evening.