First Nations veterans are making an effort and sacrifice to take back the recognition and dignity for their served efforts in warfare and glory.
Assisted by Alberta's Liberal Senator, Nick Taylor, the National Aboriginal Veterans Association has raised over $650,000 of $900,000 for a war monument designed by Saskatchewan artist Lloyd Pinay. This special recognition will be placed in close proximity with the National War Monument in Canada's capital.
This stunningly beautiful piece of Saskatchewan Art shows a bronze eagle, a symbol of pride for all Aboriginal people. The eagle soars over four figures symbolizing the Aboriginal groups sacrificing their very souls, and the freedom they fought for. Also, Aboriginal women are present, overlooking a buffalo, wolf, elk and bear, this work stands shining in downtown Ottawa. Approximately $250,000 will be needed to top off the monument with matching plaques on the sides. This piece of recognition is exactly what Saskatchewan Native Veterans were waiting for all these years of poverty and suffering.
I just wanted to share these words for the native veterans who are finally getting what they deserve, their names on a big statue. I also share these words for the veterans who are now being heard, for the benefits they shall receive are so long overdue.
Among these benefits are compensation for denied grants, denied training and education, denied loans and spousal benefit with a potential worth of 10's of millions, denied farmland and millions of dollars worth of benefits that their non-native counterparts received in full.
Out of around 800 Saskatchewan Native Veterans only 125 remain today and personally, I think they are getting tired of this issue day after day, decade after decade and would like to resolve it as soon as possible before they pass on.
SFNVA Grand Chief Howard Anderson says, "We fought in the trenches side by side with our non-Indian comrades thinking we were fighting for freedom and equality." "We were first class soldiers in the war but were second class citizens and veterans in Canada. We want equal recognition for equal service."
"The FSIN is strongly behind our Saskatchewan First Nations Veterans Association and we view this as a very legitimate claim by very decent people…" Chief Perry Bellegarde said. "For us there's a sense of urgency because the veterans are dying off daily as we speak and we want to get some of these grievances settled as soon as possible. The outstanding settlements that are rightfully due to the veterans cannot be ignored any longer. We need to honor the sacrifice that was made by all of the First Nations men and women who served Canada in time of war."
First Nations war veterans have struggled since they made their enormous contribution to keeping Canada and its citizens safe. Their contribution to the health and wellbeing of this great nation cannot continue to be undervalued and ignored. We owe them our respect and need to wake up and recognize those that went to war for us and for past and future generations.
By Chris Braun