Former and current First Nations soldiers were honoured on Tuesday at the First Nations University in Regina.
They took part in a Remembrance Day service recognizing the long history and sacrifices made by Canada’s aboriginal soldiers.
The service began with the Grand Entry procession, which included First Nations leaders, soldiers, Regina police, and the RCMP. Just before 11 a.m., the haunting sounds of the last post were played: it’s a soldiers’ lament to their fallen comrades, a call to come home and a signal that the fighting has ended for the day.
Wreaths were laid on behalf of World War I and World War II by Arthur Anderson. The 78-year-old man is from the Gordon’s First Nation, and he served for nearly 29 years in the Canadian Armed Forces.
Anderson said he is proud of what he accomplished.
“This is a day that means an awful lot to me,” he said. “I don’t walk around with my chest sticking out, I just very quietly, in my own spirit, celebrate what the veterans have contributed to this country.”
Marcel Heichert, 31, laid a wreath on behalf of youth and students. He is also a veteran, having served a tour of duty in Afghanistan in 2007. He says there were many hardships, but he felt compelled to serve his country.
“You know, losing friends when you are on a mission, those heartless Dear John letters, I had one actually, he said, “you have to learn how to persevere and carry on, you get that inner strength, that inner drive that you have to develop.”
Heichert says despite the emotional and physical impact of what he went through he has absolutely no regrets.
“No, none what so ever.”
Canada’s First Nations soldiers have served in every conflict from the War of 1812 to the World Wars, the Korean conflict and the battles in Afghanistan.