Page 31 - Nov2019

Indigenous Veterans

National Indigenous Peoples Day is
celebrated each year on June 21.
Indigenous people in Canada have reason
to be proud of their wartime
contributions. More than 7,000 First
Nations members served in the First and
Second World Wars and the Korean War,
and an unknown number of Inuit, Métis
and other Indigenous people also
participated. One Veterans group
estimates that 12,000 Indigenous men and
women served in the three wars.
Right: Elders and Indigenous soldiers in
the uniform of the Canadian Expeditionary
Force during the First World War.
(Photo: Library and Archives Canada PA-
041366)
During the First World War, thousands of Aboriginal people voluntarily enlisted in the Canadian military. While
the exact enlistment number is unknown, it is estimated that well over 4,000 Aboriginal people served in the Canadian
forces during the conflict.

Joe Crow Chief and Nick King, near Fort Macleod, Alberta 1918
Glenbow Archives, NC-10-48

107th Battalion, "A" Company, Subalterns
Lower left: Lieut. O.M. Martin, Upper right: Lieut. J.D. Moses
John Moses Collection

About one third of First Nations people in Canada age 18 to 45 enlisted during the war. Métis and Inuit soldiers also
enlisted; however, only status Indians were officially recorded by the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF). Aboriginal
soldiers served in units with other Canadians throughout the CEF. They served in every major theatre of the war and
participated in all of the major battles in which Canadian troops fought. Hundreds were wounded or lost their lives on
foreign battlefields. Many Aboriginal people distinguished themselves as talented and capable soldiers and at least 50

were awarded medals for bravery and heroism. Footnote1 Aboriginal women were active on the homefront, contributing
to the war effort through fundraising and other means. After returning from service, many Aboriginal veterans
experienced the same unequal treatment they experienced prior to the war. Aboriginal veterans were not awarded the
same benefits as their non-Aboriginal counterparts.