From left to right: Caterina Arena-Saia, Sean Esdon, Minister of Veterans Affairs Jill McKnight, Nelith Sigirige, Pierce Schaefer.
Nelith Sigirige is a founding member of The Corporal François (Franck) Dupéré Legacy Memorial, a visionary initiative launched in 2023 by four students from the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board’s ASCEND Student Leadership program. The Memorial was created to honour fallen Canadian soldiers by engaging students in meaningful acts of remembrance and education.
Designed to travel across Canada for the next 100 years, the Memorial will be hosted by a different school each year. Every new group of students will research and honour a local fallen soldier, adding their story to the Memorial. On November 11 each year, the host school will present the life and service of their chosen Veteran during Operation Remembrance, a national ceremony held both online and in person in Ottawa. The Memorial is then passed on to the next school, continuing its journey of remembrance.
Nelith and his team envisioned a project that would unite Canadians across generations in honouring the values embodied by Canada’s Veterans—courage, resilience, leadership, sacrifice and service. Their goal was to create a living tribute that would inspire young people to uphold these ideals and ensure that the stories of Canada’s fallen heroes are never forgotten.
Throughout the development of the Memorial, Nelith demonstrated exceptional leadership, adaptability and perseverance. When faced with challenges, he stepped forward to engage community and national leaders, helping to build lasting support for the project. He and his team met with government officials, connected with Veterans Affairs Canada and The Royal Canadian Legion, and established strong relationships with Corporal Dupéré’s family and former regiment, the 4th Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment.
As a graduate of the ASCEND Leadership program, Nelith played a central role in shaping the Memorial’s concept and design. He encouraged and motivated his peers, contributed to the physical creation of the Memorial, and shared his passion for the project at every stage. His commitment to honouring Corporal Dupéré’s legacy was evident in his thoughtful engagement with the Dupéré family and friends, ensuring the Memorial reflected the character and sacrifice of the man it was named for.
In 2024, the Memorial was hosted by King’s-Edgehill School in Nova Scotia, which chose to honour Captain Nichola Goddard. It has since been passed to Kitsilano Secondary School in Vancouver, British Columbia, where it was featured in the 2025 Remembrance Day ceremony.
Thanks to Nelith’s vision and dedication, the Corporal François Dupéré Legacy Memorial is poised to become a cornerstone of remembrance in Canada—connecting students, communities and Veterans in a powerful, enduring tribute.