This Mohawk language teacher had Hamilton students write cards to Indigenous veterans

A Hamilton elementary school is sending almost 50 cards to Indigenous veterans for Remembrance Day.

Sheila Maracle teaches the Mohawk language to students from Grades 4 to 8 at Queen Mary Elementary School in the Ontario city's east end.

For years, leading up to Indigenous Veterans Day on Nov. 8, she had students watch the documentary Forgotten Warriors by Loretta Todd. It shows how Indigenous Canadians fought in the Second World War while the government discriminated against them.

"It's important for everyone to know the real history," said Maracle, who is Mohawk from Six Nations of the Grand River Territory, Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory and Kahnawake Mohawk Territory.

This year, Maracle did something even more special.

She had her 45 students write cards to Indigenous veterans after watching the documentary. It took almost a week's worth of class time.

The cards are full of gratitude, Maracle said.

"If I were to ask them to do this without having to watch the video first, it might not have the same meaning. I think when kids are told this is very important and they see why with watching the video, then it's different than it just coming from me," she said.

"There is lots of heartfelt sentiment ... just a different level of caring."

She said students tend to be shocked and saddened by what they hear during the documentary.

"They're appalled, because I stop and go, 'Is that fair?' and they're like 'No,"" she said.

"My more emotional students who are non-Native get right up in arms about it."

The cards are being sent to the Veterans Affairs Canada office in Ottawa so Indigenous veterans can read them.

School principal Kelly McCrory said it's an important assignment that others should try.

"The work they're doing really brings that knowledge and enlightenment about all the soldiers, whether they're Indigenous or not," she said.

Bruce Patterson, first vice-president of the Six Nations Veterans Association, praised the project.

"I think it keeps the memory of the Indigenous servicemen alive and it helps the younger generation, the kids, remember ... we did have a part in securing Canada's future," said the Six Nations of the Grand River and Tuscarora veteran, who served two years in the U.S. first infantry division.

Maracle said she hopes the exercise will help students remember how the government has unfairly treated Indigenous people.

"I just hope kids are getting the bigger picture of all the injustices Native people have had to put up with as this country is starting to learn about it really."

The cards might be valuable to veterans, as well. 

"I just hope a veteran will smile and know they're not forgotten."