Thunder Bay, ON – Today, the Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) proudly honours National Indigenous Veterans Day, a day dedicated to remembering and commemorating the significant contributions of Indigenous veterans.
This day was first commemorated in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in 1994 to ensure that Indigenous veterans were finally recognized for their contributions to WWI, WWII, the Korean War, Afghanistan, and peace supporting operations around the world. We honour the Indigenous veterans who served Canada honourably and risked their lives defending shared values of peace, equality, and freedom.
We celebrate and honour all Indigenous women who have served in the military in various roles, including as leaders, warriors, healers, and protectors.
Author Grace Poulin from Thunder Bay, ON, in her book Invisible Women: WWII Aboriginal Servicewomen in Canada highlights the often-overlooked contributions of Indigenous women who served in the Canadian military during World War II. Poulin’s research documents the experiences of 18 Indigenous women who volunteered from various parts of Canada, including urban, rural, and First Nation communities. She highlights roles Indigenous women played, such as serving in the Canadian Women’s Army Corps (CWAC), the Royal Canadian Air Force Women’s Division (RCAF WD), and the Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Service (WRCNS). Poulin’s efforts help fill the gap in scholarly writing about the Indigenous female experience in WWII, ensuring these women’s stories are recognized and remembered.
Indigenous people were instrumental in the victories of WWI and WWII, serving as code breakers and code talkers using their Indigenous languages. Mary McPherson, an Ojibwa artist and member of the Couchiching First Nation based in Thunder Bay, ON, celebrated her uncle, a code breaker who made the ultimate sacrifice. Her Canadian Mint coin design personally served as a remembrance to her uncle. The coin served to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of the Scheldt (1944-2019). Proudly, as a young Indigenous woman, Mary’s work is deeply influenced by her heritage and family stories.
“We must remember the lives and selfless contributions of those who fought to preserve the freedom that today seems so fragile. History must not repeat itself. It is our duty to honour the memory of the Indigenous women and men whose sacrifices must not be forgotten.” – Cora McGuire-Cyrette, CEO, ONWA.
Together let us reflect, remember, and honour all those who lost their lives and the loved ones whose lives were changed forever.
For more information and media inquiries, contact:
Andre Morriseau, Communications Manager
Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA)
Email: amorriseau@onwa.ca
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