Three individuals from First Nations in Saskatchewan who served in the Canadian Armed Forces are reflecting on the significance of National Indigenous Veterans Day on November 8.
Mahekan Ahenakew, hailing from Ahatahkakoop Cree Nation, emphasized how his traditional upbringing served as a valuable asset during his time in the Canadian Army. Notably skilled in tracking game, reading terrains, and navigating waters, Ahenakew was drawn to military service after witnessing the respect bestowed upon veterans at a powwow in Regina. His attraction to the camaraderie and sense of unity within the military, coupled with a desire to honor the history of Indigenous military service, led him to join Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry 2nd Battalion and serve in Afghanistan with the North Saskatchewan Regiment and the 4th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group in 2009.
Evan Taypotat, the chief of Kahkewistahaw First Nation, recently appointed as an honorary colonel for the Snowbirds, reflected on his service with the 1st Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry from 2009 to 2012, including a deployment in Afghanistan in 2011. Taypotat highlighted the importance of Indigenous Veterans Day in acknowledging the historical disparities in benefits for Indigenous veterans compared to their non-Indigenous counterparts.
Cy Standing, a Royal Canadian Air Force veteran from Wahpeton Dakota Nation, emphasized the significance of honoring historical Indigenous leaders who defended their land and way of life, likening their role to defending Canadian land. Standing, who served as an electronics technician and spent time in Europe post-World War II, shared his transformative experience of international travel and cultural exchange, emphasizing the unity among Indigenous service members during his time abroad.
As these veterans commemorate National Indigenous Veterans Day, their stories underscore the valor and resilience of Indigenous individuals in the Canadian Armed Forces.