Indigenous Veterans Day occurs annually on November 8th and is a memorial day observed in Canada to recognize and honour the contributions of Indigenous Soldiers (including First Nations, Metis, and Inuit) to military service, particularly in the First and Second World Wars and the Korean War. The day was first commemorated in 1994 in Winnipeg and is now observed nationwide.
Before the establishment of Indigenous Veterans Day, the service of Indigenous Veterans often went unrecognized in national ceremonies. "Equals on the battlefield, but not at home" (ICTI, 2021). Indigenous service men and women were considered equals while deployed; however, when they returned home to Canada, services and benefits were not provided to them. Indigenous Veterans Day will be observed this year on Saturday, November 8th, 2025.
Forgotten Warriors
This documentary introduces us to thousands of Indigenous Canadians who enlisted and fought alongside their countrymen and women during World War II, even though they could not be conscripted.
Canadian Heritage Moment: Tommy Prince
Serving as a reconnaissance expert in the Devil's Brigade, Tommy Prince posed as a local farmer to repair a severed communications wire in full view of enemy troops. He is one of Canada's most decorated Indigenous soldiers.
Canadian Heritage Moment: Queenston Heights (1812)
Mohawk Chief John Norton and 80 Grand River warriors hold off American soldiers until reinforcements arrive and the Battle of Queenston Heights is won (1812).
Bones of Crows - the movie and series are found on CBC GEM. To view these two videos, create a free account.
From the Tundra to the Trenches by
"My name is Weetaltuk; Eddy Weetaltuk. My Eskimo tag name is E9-422." So begins From the Tundra to the Trenches. Weetaltuk means "innocent eyes" in Inuktitut, but to the Canadian government, he was known as E9-422: E for Eskimo, 9 for his community, 422 to identify Eddy. In 1951, Eddy decided to leave James Bay. Because Inuit weren't allowed to leave the North, he changed his name and used this new identity to enlist in the Canadian Forces: Edward Weetaltuk, E9-422, became Eddy Vital, SC-17515, and headed off to fight in the Korean War. In 1967, after fifteen years in the Canadian Forces, Eddy returned home. He worked with Inuit youth struggling with drug and alcohol addiction, and, in 1974, started writing his life's story. This compelling memoir traces an Inuk's experiences of world travel and military service. Looking back on his life, Weetaltuk wanted to show young Inuit that they can do and be what they choose.
For King and Kanata by
The first comprehensive history of the Aboriginal First World War experience on the battlefield and the home front. When the call to arms was heard at the outbreak of the First World War, Canada's First Nations pledged their men and money to the Crown to honour their long-standing tradition of forming military alliances with Europeans during times of war, and as a means of resisting cultural assimilation and attaining equality through shared service and sacrifice. Initially, the Canadian government rejected these offers based on the belief that status Indians were unsuited to modern, civilized warfare.
"For King and Kanata" is an ebook at the New Brunswick Public Library. It can be checked out using the Overdrive or Libby app by signing in with your New Brunswick Public Library Card. For more information on getting a library card, click here
NBCC campuses are located on Mi’kmaq, Wolastoq and Peskotomuhkati homelands. Since 1726 this land has been subject to treaties that are still in effect today. We are grateful to learn together on this land and do so guided by the original spirit of those treaties - peace, respect and friendship.