50 years later - finally, recognition

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It's a matter of respect - a pat on the back, a hearty handshake and sincere 'thank you' is the very least one could expect as a response to a person who lays his life on the line to protect another's interests.

But for many members of Canada's First Nations - thousands of Aboriginals who offered up themselves as a barrier between tyranny and freedom by serving in Canada's fighting forces during this century's wars - it wasn't respect they faced post-service, only injustice.

With slight of hand, Canada expropriated acre upon acre of reserve land to give to returning soldiers. The idea was to get the men farming in lieu of any other form of work, but many Native veterans were not told they were entitled to the same benefits.

While other Canadian were being asked to invest in the war efforts through the purchase of bonds, Native Canadian were just taken from, with one-fifth of their treaty payments re-directed to war aid.

How many missed opportunities have there been because Canada did not acknowledge the Native contribution made during the wars? How many Aboriginal descendants cannot claim their birthright because zealous Indian agents wiped names off band lists upon Native enlistment?

Perhaps the insult which most typifies this widespread disregard for the Aboriginal war effort came when Indian war veterans wondered why service medals that should have been supplied to them were not. Veterans Affairs provided the individuals with a price list and were told they could purchase the medals if they wanted them. The most common complaint involved the Defense Medal, the Canadian Volunteer Medal, and the 1939/1945 Star Medal, all of which should have been accorded the veterans just as they had been to their non-Aboriginal comrades.

June 6, the 50th Anniversary of the Allied Forces D-Day invasion at Normandy, provides us with an opportunity to say a word of thanks to all the men and women who came to the world's defence against the Nazi's attempt at domination. Sam Sinclair, president of the National Aboriginal Veterans Association, will commemorate the Aboriginal soldiers who lost their lives at this historic military event. He will position a wreath at the cenotaph in Ottawa this day. But while the honour is a worthy one, and long overdue, it will be tarnished by the fact that Native veterans lost much more than they gained by demonstrating their loyalty to Queen and country.

Half a century and longer after the fact, Canada has an opportunity to make up for its neglect of the Indian veteran. The Standing Senate Committee of Aboriginal Peoples is set to hear the stories of the injustices suffered Native Canadians upon their return from the first and second world wars and the Korean War. All those people with a grievance are urged to step forward and give voice to their concerns.

Although the committee cannot award compensation to individuals, it can make recommendations to the federal government. Recommendations that could see the efforts of Native soldiers finally recognized by the country they served.

A disturbing statement in a Senate bulletin which addresses the matter states "While the committee acknowledges the serious nature of those grievances, it has so far identified very few Aboriginal veterans who claim to have suffered any injustices."

Indulge this committee and speak out. This window of opportunity will open and shut in a blinking of an eye, so veterans are encouraged to seize the moment.