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Many Canadians have offered their service to their country in war and peacetime. Not all returned to a land that honoured their contributions or human rights.
Photo by Lorraine Graves
Hidden heroes come from all cultures
Published 2:15 PST, Fri November 10, 2017
Bravery and service to Canada are not limited
to those of European ancestry.
The most decorated soldier fighting in World
War II and Korea, Tommy Prince was Ojibwa. On the Historica Canada website, you
can check out the Heritage Minute honouring Prince’s accomplishments and
struggles.
Canadians of Chinese ancestry have offered
service throughout the forces and appear on a wall of honour on the Veterans’
Affairs website.
A decorated reservist from Vancouver, Harjit
Singh Sajjan, is our Minister of Defense.
The Japanese Canadian Memorial in Stanley
Park serves as a reminder of the contribution these citizens have made to our
armed forces since the First World War. A commemorative ceremony begins there
at 10:40 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11 and is open to all.
To read the detailed story of former Richmond
resident and decorated veteran Masumi Mitsui, who fought for Canada in the
First World War and fought for human rights when he came home, see the Richmond
Sentinel’s website at richmondsentinel.ca
First Nations Veterans have long struggled to
have their significant contributions honoured.
The Aboriginal Veterans Day Organizing
Committee, more than 12,000 First Nations people, including Inuit and Metis,
served in the Canadian Armed Forces in the First World War alone—a high number
considering First Nations peoples represent less than four percent of the
country’s population even today.
According to Kelly E. White, volunteer director,
aboriginal people have served in over 42 peacekeeping missions since 1956.
On Nov. 8 at 9 a.m. the 13th annual
Aboriginal Veterans Day Ceremonies commence at the Carnegie Centre, 401 Main
St., Vancouver. After a 10:15 a.m. honour march from there to Victory Square,
ceremonies begin at the Cenotaph at 10:45. All are welcome, White says.
“We are grateful to the families of our
Aboriginal veterans for the sacrifices they have made, and continue to make. We
honour our warriors of the past, and of today, for fighting for the rights of
the People of Turtle Island and Mother Earth.”
“Aboriginal veterans fought for the freedoms
most other Canadians enjoy today, and we honour the great sacrifices and
contributions they have made.”
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