John Moses recounts how his father, Russell Moses, faced discrimination upon returning home from the Korean War in 1952. As an Indigenous residential school survivor, Russell was denied entry to a bar in Hagersville, Ont., due to his race. John, a member of the Delaware and Upper Mohawk bands from Six Nations of the Grand River and a third-generation Canadian Armed Forces member, highlighted that this experience was not uncommon for returning veterans like his father.
Russell, who served in the navy during the Korean War and later in the air force, passed away in 2013. John, who served as a communicator research operator with the Armed Forces in the 1980s and later worked at the Canadian Museum of History, emphasized the irony faced by returning veterans who had fought for the freedom of foreign nations but were still denied equal civil and political rights in Canada.
Indigenous Veterans Day, observed on Saturday, commemorates the wartime contributions of Indigenous individuals. Historian Scott Sheffield noted that for some Indigenous soldiers, the military provided a sense of belonging and acceptance that was often lacking in their civilian lives due to racism.
The day originated in Winnipeg in 1993 as a grassroots movement and has since gained national recognition. Sheffield explained that many Indigenous individuals enlisted in the military for various reasons, including adventure, economic opportunities, and a desire to assert their right to belong in Canadian society.
While serving in the military, Indigenous soldiers experienced camaraderie and respect that transcended racial prejudices. However, upon returning home, they often found that the acceptance they had enjoyed during wartime dissolved, leading some to re-enlist in subsequent conflicts to recapture that sense of purpose and belonging.
The federal government acknowledges the mistreatment of Indigenous veterans and the unfulfilled expectation that their sacrifices would lead to improved rights and status within Canada. Efforts to recognize Indigenous veterans have gained momentum, with initiatives like the Last Post Fund Indigenous Initiative working to ensure dignified funerals and burials for veterans.
Veterans Affairs Canada supports projects honoring Indigenous veterans and emphasizes that Indigenous Veterans Day complements rather than replaces Remembrance Day. Sheffield believes that the mutual respect and camaraderie experienced by soldiers during wartime serve as valuable lessons as Canada continues its journey of reconciliation and coexistence.