Veterans, youth, and elders gathered at the Veteran’s memorial tee-pee at the First Nations University today to remember the sacrifices made by those who fought for our freedom
First nations soldiers have taken part in every armed conflict against the crown from the war of 1812 to the present day battles in Afghanistan.
The last post sounded as decorated veterans stood tall and proud, but filled with sadness for soldiers who paid the ultimate price.
Amoung them, 80 year old Art Anderson.
He is from a long line of soldiers.
His father fought in the first and second world war.
Anderson himself is a decorated soldier having served for nearly 30 years.
The George Gordon First Nation Citizen is proud of what he and his father and other soldiers accomplished on behalf of all Canadians.
“Vimy ridge was won and I really believe that is where our nation was formed, it was not formed on the tables of parliament hill with a pen, but in the trenches with our military.”
Vimy Ridge was the defining battle for Canadian soldiers during the first world war.
It was a battle where first nations troops fought shoulder to shoulder with non aboriginal soldiers.
They accomplished what other troops could not taking the ridge from the Germans.
Today’s service at the First Nation’s University also included soldiers from more recent conflicts.
Marcel Heichert is a veteran of the Afghanistan war.
He spent 7 and a half years there.
He says the horror of war is not a distant memory.
“I was exposed to images of women getting stoned and people throwing themselves at vehicles bombing them and making sacrifices like that and I didn’t know why. I just wanted to go over and restore peace, I did not see the big picture at the time.”
Nearly a thousand Saskatchewan first nations people volunteered to fight in the world wars and the Korean war, and people like Heichert are serving their country in today’s battles.
First nations soldiers were noted for the stamina, keen observation skills and courage.