Nepean, Ontario
As a proud Indigenous Veteran, John Gervais is a passionate promoter of his Indigenous heritage and the Canadian military. He volunteers with several Indigenous groups helping with communications, marketing and social media to raise awareness about Indigenous heritage and the Canadian military.
Described as a living ambassador of Veterans and Indigenous people, John Gervais takes advantage of every opportunity possible to celebrate and promote Indigenous heritage and the Canadian military. He has held information sessions in the Federal Government about Indigenous traditions and heritage, has opened many large meetings and conferences with Indigenous smudging ceremonies and prayers and has given talks at various schools about his service and heritage.
John is especially enthusiastic about marketing and communications and offers related advice and guidance to several Indigenous organizations. John was involved with the Ontario Métis Family Records Centre (OMFRC) for eight years and assisted the organization with communication and marketing products for social media platforms, newsletter and website. He performed similar tasks for Métis Nation of Canada where he acted as the Director of Communications. He was involved with that organization for three years. John also acted as special advisor to Grand Chief of Eastern Woodland Métis Nation of Nova Scotia (EWMNNS) and was with that organization for eight years. Overall, he assisted several Indigenous organizations in developing graphics, memes, logos, writing letters to government officials, drafting press releases, managing social media platforms and creating and managing websites. He also created a video about the HMCS Nipigon, a ship on which he served.
John has also been recognized with several awards associated with his promotion and celebration of his Indigenous heritage, including the Governor General of Canada’s Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers for his ongoing and continued efforts to support and enrich Indigenous lives. He is also the recipient of the Canadian Aboriginal Veterans and Serving Members Association (CAV) High Order Recognition Medallion – merit for commendable military service; in recognition of volunteer work in supporting Indigenous people who served in the Canadian Armed Forces.