Respecting your Culture

Heroes Remember

Respecting your Culture

Transcript

If you’re a soldier, you’re a soldier no matter what colour your skin is or what language you speak. We’re all treated, I guess, equally on the same basis. Interviewer: Were you always treated equally throughout all your time? Well that’s impossible. That wouldn’t be true. Now you can say that because there was times when you did get, you could get that feeling. When there’s only a minor, a minor it’s only a few that would, they’d take a run at yah sort of speaking. I guess, you know, because of who you were. No, there be times when I knew that the colour of my skin was a problem for them. You had to be strong, you know. You had to say, “Well I’m just as good as you are.” You know, that was my ambition. You don’t care how I look. Look at me what I am, not for what I look. Well, I think in the service you have to stand up for yourself and they teach you that, you know. You learn that from other people, don’t let other people walk all over you, because that’s not the way it works. Stand up for your rights. I think I’ve always been, in private life too. You know, if you’re going to call me down you better have a reason.

Description

Mr. St. Pierre discusses his treatment as a Native soldier in the Canadian Military and the importance of standing up for himself.

Ed St. Pierre

Mr. St. Pierre was born April 20, 1937 in a small Metis District of Yorkton, Saskatchewan. With his hardworking father as his role model, Mr. St. Pierre grew up being taught to follow his dreams, and at the young age of 17 decided to join the army. He became a member of the Canadian Guards Regiment 2nd Battalion holding rank of warrant officer. In 1957, Mr. St. Pierre was posted to Germany for a two year period. After leaving the services Mr. St. Pierre was employed with the Provincial government and later transferred to the Department of Veterans Affairs where he retired. Mr. St. Pierre is a strong advocate for recognition of the Aboriginal community and their positive contributions to society.

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