Native Veterans Launch Campaign To Share Stories

Native Veterans Launch Campaign To Share Stories

Friday, October 08, 2010 at 15:06

 

 

First Nations veterans want their story to be told — which is why the Saskatchewan First Nation Veterans Association has established a speakers bureau of veterans who can speak at school functions and other events.

 

It is designed to meet the high demand for First Nations veterans to speak at school functions and other events.

 

The association says 16 veterans are trained and ready to deliver their message for a nominal fee, year-round.

 

They will share their version of what happened to First Nations veterans after the war and the stories of the men and women who offered their lives for Canada.

 

Veteran Philip Ledoux says First Nations people have volunteered to serve since the Boer War and says when First Nations veterans returned home from war years ago, they didn’t have access to therapy and many turned to drinking.

 

Ledoux says many veterans often felt like they didn’t belong when they returned to their home reserves, and says they felt lost and frustrated.

 

Still, he encourages youth to join programs such as the Bold Eagle program and says youth should consider joining the armed forces.

 

There are around 350 surviving First Nations veterans in Saskatchewan.