Aboriginal soldiers paid a special price

Page 4

In Remembrance Day celebrations across Canada, courageous men who fought for the freedom of their country were honored and remembered for their efforts. I attended a local ceremony in Penticton and couldn't help but notice that among the groups laying wreaths, there was not a delegation that represented the Native people.

The Native people of Canada were very active in defending their country and at quite an unjust price, I might add. At the time of enlistment, Natives were not considered Canadian citizens, and in order to acquire citizenship, they were required to give up their status, thus removing them from the rolls of Indian Affairs. Not only did they lose identifies in accordance with the federal policies, they were also forced to assume Anglo Saxon names in registration.

When they returned from war they were not provided with the same veteran status as their comrades.

It's okay to enlist their services to fight for the country but when it comes to recognition and veteran provision, the government has again fallen short.

So the pomp of colonial regime has again excluded the Native people in recognition of their efforts to maintain the lifestyle of Canadians. Sounds about right. Historically all the Indians got for fighting colonial war was a piece of worthless land as far away from civilization as possible.

My father served as a gunner during the Second World War and although speaking about it was very painful for him, I know he felt a sense of pride in serving for what he felt the war represented. That doesn't mean he felt good about the atrocities of the war, but it was the romance of defending their country that encouraged many to enlist.

To risk your life for the freedom of others takes courage and dedication to a belief system that is protective of your family and the future of your children. I respect the people who bravely confronted the enemy for my freedom as a Canadian and I feel their commitment to their country deserves the utmost respect. Why have the Native soldiers been deprived of their glory?

In my moment of silence I remembered the pain in my father's eyes when he spoke of the war and internal struggle he suffered in that aftermath. However, he was one of the fortunate men who served to protect their country. He was white and was eligible to claim his glory and receive the benefits of the soldiers wounded in battle.

War is nothing new to the Native warrior, he has bravely fought for what he believed to be the strength of his people - respect and recognition. I take a moment of silence to remember the courageous Native men who served in the wars of mankind. War does not discriminate by race or spiritual belief.

The eyes of yesterday's warrior are mirrors or horrors and injustices that we still battle today. Their strength had encouraged the continuance of our fight. To them we owe our courage.

Lest We Forget.