Métis Crossing marks Indigenous Veterans Day in the shadow of ongoing inequities

With his red hair and greenish eyes, Bruce Gordon recalls passing for white while serving in the Royal Canadian Air Force.

But it's emotional for the Métis sergeant to remember the treatment of fellow Indigenous comrades.

"Getting off the train and suddenly you're treated differently again," Gordon, 78, recalled.

"The legions would not accept any Indigenous person in there to have a drink. They couldn't drink to salute their comrades."

For Gordon, it's important to share that history as MC of Friday's commemoration of Indigenous Veterans Day at Métis Crossing. Many Canadians still don't realize what happened, he said.

The ceremony near Smoky Lake, Alta., about 115 kilometres northeast of Edmonton, is starting at 1 p.m.

It is one of many ways people across Canada are honouring the contributions of Métis, First Nations and Inuit soldiers in the First World War, Second World War and Korean War.

Still seeking compensation

Segregation was one of multiple forms of discrimination they met when returning to civilian life.

The Métis Nation of Alberta is now assisting veterans and their families seeking reparations after being denied access to the benefits and support programs provided to their non-Indigenous peers.

"I believe that Veterans Affairs is moving in that direction. It is a slow process," said Lisa Wolfe, secretary of veterans' affairs for the Métis Nation of Alberta.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Veterans Affairs Canada said the federal government is committed to supporting Indigenous veterans and advancing reconciliation.

In 2019, Veterans Affairs transferred $30 million to the Métis National Council to present Second World War Métis Nation veterans with one-time payments of $20,000.

A team of Indigenous employees began meeting with Indigenous communities in 2023 to develop an outreach strategy to ensure veterans and their families are receiving the services they need, Veterans Affairs officials said.

"Moving forward, we will continue to work with Indigenous partners to ensure that Indigenous veterans are recognized for their service and sacrifice," Josh Bueckert, spokesperson for Veterans Affairs Canada, wrote in an email.

According to the federal government, up to 12,000 Indigenous people served in the world wars. At least 500 lost their lives.

Henry Louis Norwest, a decorated Alberta Métis hunter-turned-sniper with a record 115 confirmed kills was fatally shot at 33, just before the First World War ended.

In the Second World War, code talkers like Charles "Checker" Tomkins from Alberta passed secret messages back and forth in Cree — a role that only became public in the past decade.

Gordon served three years at CFB Bordon in Ontario but family duties interfered with plans to deploy overseas.

Instead, his background in the air force and expertise as a Red Seal electrician allowed him to contribute in a different way.

In Edmonton, Gordon landed a job fixing American fighter jets bound for the war in Vietnam. It wasn't long before he was overseeing final inspections — the last stop before the planes exited the hangar.

"It's your neck if they come crashing down," Gordon said.

Gordon's service continued as an 18-year member of the Legion of Frontiersmen in Edmonton, where he formed his own troop and was eventually promoted to sergeant.

Still working as an electrician, Gordon has MCd Remembrance Day events for years. He thinks it might take another generation to see true reconciliation but that doesn't diminish his love for his country.

"I'm very proud to be Canadian, proud to be an Albertan and proud to be Métis."