Video

Timothy O’Loan
Some of our most decorated Veterans are aboriginal people.

Noel Knockwood
The native contribution on our reserve, you know, I think I counted over 30 people that joined the military in both the United States and Canada.

Tom Eagle
I think one of the things, why I enlisted, we had two First World War Veterans in our reserve. I was impressed with the way that they conducted themselves. They had that military bearing.

Timothy O’Loan
Many people joined the World Wars, joined to defend their treaties that their peoples had signed with the Government of Canada.

Ed St. Pierre
You’re a soldier, you’re a soldier, no matter what color your skin is, or what language you speak.

Timothy O’Loan
If you ever sit in a trench you realize this person beside you is from Newfoundland or from Quebec or BC or the north. Aboriginal or non-Aboriginal. In the end, you’re still a soldier, but you’re still a person and you still have a unique history.

Darcy Neepin
You don’t know them from a hole in the ground and you get to know them in a hole in the ground, you know. And you learn a lot about them, you just become real good friends.

Ed St. Pierre
You went through hardships, no question about that, but they always said that it was something they wanted to do for their country.

Timothy O’Loan
You go into battle, you go wherever, you need that trust and you need to be part of that team. And that is the absolute first thing that the military teaches you.

Darcy Neepin
I think as time goes on, there will be more understanding to their culture, their traditions and way of life.

Noel Knockwood
The freedoms that we exercise today, came about because of the native people and Aboriginal Veterans who have sacrificed their lives so that you and I could be here to carry on the experiences that they fought for.

Ed Borchert
For our young people, be they Metis, First Nation, Inuit. Our people served. We have a warriors spirit. Not one to bring harm, but one to ensure peace within our nations.

Noel Knockwood
And I was very proud to be a Canadian, still am proud to be a Canadian today. And our contribution for the defence of this country, in my mind shall never be erased.