November 8 is Indigenous Veterans Day in Canada. It honours First Nations, Métis and Inuit people who served in the Canadian military. It comes three days before Remembrance Day on November 11.
We are an Indigenous-owned company in Saskatoon, on Treaty 6 territory. This guide covers how the day began, what the records say about Indigenous service, and how people mark it today. Every figure below comes from the sources listed at the end.
How Indigenous Veterans Day began
The day started in Manitoba. The Canadian Encyclopedia says the National Aboriginal Veterans Association initiated it, and that it was first observed on November 8, 1993. The City of Winnipeg also dates the first observance to 1993.
Official recognition followed. According to Veterans Affairs Canada, the Manitoba government introduced a statement in 1993 to recognize November 8 as Aboriginal Veterans Day. On November 8, 1994, the first official provincially recognized day was celebrated. Some sources, such as True Patriot Love, give 1994 as the first observance in Winnipeg.
The original name was Aboriginal Veterans Day. Today it is known as Indigenous Veterans Day and is marked across Canada, Veterans Affairs Canada says.
Why a separate day from Remembrance Day
Indigenous Veterans Day does not replace Remembrance Day. It sits alongside it. Many people take part in both.
A separate day grew out of a real gap. Global News reported that for decades, Indigenous veterans were not able to take part in Remembrance Day ceremonies as a group or lay wreaths. November 8 gave them a day of their own.
The gap went beyond ceremonies. Veterans Affairs Canada says many Indigenous veterans did not receive equal treatment compared to other Canadian veterans after they came home. We cover that below.
What is known about Indigenous service
Exact numbers are hard to pin down. Veterans Affairs Canada notes an unknown number of Inuit and Métis recruits in the Second World War, and says the real totals were no doubt higher. The figures below are the ones it publishes.
| Conflict | What Veterans Affairs Canada reports |
|---|---|
| First World War | More than 4,000 Indigenous people served in uniform |
| Second World War | More than 3,000 First Nations members, including 72 women, plus an unknown number of Inuit and Métis |
| Korean War | Several hundred Indigenous people served |
| 20th-century conflicts overall | More than 12,000 First Nations, Métis and Inuit people served; at least 500 lost their lives |
First World War
Veterans Affairs Canada says that in some areas, one in three able-bodied Indigenous men volunteered. In the Head of the Lake Band in British Columbia, every man aged 20 to 35 enlisted. Indigenous soldiers earned at least 50 decorations for bravery.
One example is Henry Louis Norwest, a Métis sniper. Veterans Affairs Canada says he held a divisional record of 115 fatal shots and received the Military Medal and bar.
Second World War
Indigenous service members earned at least 17 decorations for bravery in action, according to Veterans Affairs Canada.
Some served as code talkers. Veterans Affairs Canada names Charles "Checker" Tomkins, who translated sensitive radio messages into Cree. Oliver Milton Martin reached the rank of brigadier, which Veterans Affairs Canada calls the highest military rank ever held by an Indigenous person.
Global News reported another barrier. Until 1942 to 1943, army recruits had to be "of pure European descent and of the white race." Those rules lasted longer in the air force and navy.
Korean War and after
Several hundred Indigenous people served in Korea, according to Veterans Affairs Canada. It notes that Tommy Prince, an Ojibwa soldier, took part in the Battle of Kapyong in April 1951.
Service did not stop there. Veterans Affairs Canada notes Indigenous personnel have served in NATO duties, UN peacekeeping and Afghanistan. It also notes that the Canadian Rangers, who patrol northern and remote coastal areas, are predominantly Indigenous.
Coming home to unequal treatment
Veterans Affairs Canada is direct about what happened after the wars. It lists several problems:
- Most First Nations veterans were unable to receive their pensions, grants and benefits, because of their status as wards under the Indian Act.
- Non-Indigenous veterans received grants to own land. First Nations veterans were instead given a certificate to use reserve land that already belonged to their community.
- The remote location of many reserves made government programs harder to reach.
Métis veterans faced their own barriers. On September 10, 2019, the Government of Canada apologized that post-war benefits "were not well designed to meet Métis Veterans' specific needs." It committed $30 million to recognize Métis Second World War veterans and support commemoration.
How the day is observed
Observances are usually quiet and local. Common ways to take part include:
- A moment of silence. The City of Winnipeg encourages people to bow their heads in silence on November 8 to honour Indigenous soldiers.
- Community ceremonies. In 2024, a 30th anniversary event was held in Riverton, Manitoba, hosted by the Unified Veterans of Manitoba and a local friendship centre.
- The national monument. Veterans Affairs Canada notes commemorations on November 8 at the National Aboriginal Veterans Monument in Ottawa.
That monument has a Saskatchewan connection. It was unveiled on June 21, 2001, which was National Aboriginal Day at the time. The sculptor, Lloyd Pinay, is from the Peepeekisis First Nation in Saskatchewan. It shows four figures, two men and two women, representing First Nations, Inuit and Métis people, with an eagle at the top.
Ways to honour Indigenous veterans
You do not need to wait for a formal event. A few ideas:
- Look for a local ceremony. Check with your First Nation, Métis local, friendship centre, Legion branch or city.
- Learn a name. Read about one veteran from your region. The Canadian Encyclopedia profiles many, including Francis Pegahmagabow, Tommy Prince and Edith Monture.
- Search the archives. Library and Archives Canada holds First World War personnel files. It also holds Indian Affairs records, such as lists of Indigenous volunteers and of those killed and wounded overseas.
- Teach it. Veterans Affairs Canada publishes classroom material, including an activity on the national monument.
- Ask and listen. If a family member or Elder served, ask if they want to share. Respect it if they do not.
For groups planning a November 8 gathering, we offer custom screen printing with design help included. We have printed for a local drum group in Saskatoon. To learn more about us and the land we work on, read Treaty 6 and where XUSI comes from or visit our about page. You can also browse our Indigenous clothing in Saskatoon.
Related reading: National Indigenous Peoples Day, June 21
Questions people ask
When is Indigenous Veterans Day?
It is on November 8 every year, three days before Remembrance Day.
Is Indigenous Veterans Day a statutory holiday?
No. It is a day of recognition. Manitoba recognized it officially in 1994, and it is now marked across Canada.
How many Indigenous people served in the World Wars?
Veterans Affairs Canada reports more than 4,000 Indigenous people in the First World War. It reports more than 3,000 First Nations members in the Second World War, plus an unknown number of Inuit and Métis.
Why do the numbers vary?
Records were incomplete, and the number of Inuit and Métis recruits is unknown. Veterans Affairs Canada says the actual Second World War numbers were no doubt much higher.
Sources
- Indigenous Veterans Day – The Canadian Encyclopedia
- Indigenous Veterans Day 30th Anniversary – Veterans Affairs Canada
- Indigenous Veterans – Veterans Affairs Canada
- Indigenous Veterans (historical sheet) – Veterans Affairs Canada
- The Canadian Contribution – Indigenous Soldiers, Foreign Battlefields – Veterans Affairs Canada
- Conclusion – Indigenous Soldiers, Foreign Battlefields – Veterans Affairs Canada
- National Aboriginal Veterans Monument – Veterans Affairs Canada
- National Aboriginal Veterans Monument Activity – Veterans Affairs Canada
- November 8 – Honouring Indigenous Veterans – City of Winnipeg
- Indigenous veterans "served with distinction," and came home to no support – Global News
- What is Indigenous Veterans Day? – True Patriot Love Foundation
- Government of Canada recognizes the experiences of Métis Veterans (2019 statement)
- First World War research help – Library and Archives Canada
Written by XUSI, an Indigenous-owned clothing and screen printing brand from Saskatoon on Treaty 6 territory. Our story · What the words mean