London, Ontario November 8th, 2022 – When the call came to protect their homelands they answered, and despite the prejudice and racism they faced even upon their return, they fought and made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure the freedoms we all enjoy today. On National Indigenous Veteran’s Day and Remembrance Day the Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians invites you to stand with us in tribute to honor and pay our respects to all veterans of the past and present.
Grand Chief Joel Abram says “First Nation veterans were often in the forefront alongside their fellow soldiers and many did not return home to their families. In my own family I had two of my great grandfathers enlisted in WWI, and one of them also fought in WW2, and in fact lied about his age to fight the first one. They are but two examples and like a lot of Canadians we shared in that struggle for freedom. Lest we forget.”
Deputy Grand Chief Stacia Loft states “When WWI and WWII occurred many of our people left their homes, their families and their land to fight. They were not asked, they were not ordered, they knew they had a duty according to our heritage that we had to protect our homelands.” The struggle continues today as some First Nation Veterans face a crisis in health, or housing. We owe it to them to ensure they receive the care they deserve in the form of affordable, comfortable housing, and that they receive treatment for any physical or mental suffering they might be going through.
On November 8th we ask everyone to take a moment to remember the Indigenous Veterans, the contribution they have made in history, and what they go through even today.
