Regina unveils Indigenous veterans memorial

Saskatchewan's lieutenant-governor and a host of First Nations dignitaries unveiled an Indigenous veterans monument in Regina's Victoria Park on Saturday.

The permanent monument, which stands in the southern portion of the park's central walkway, honours all Indigenous veterans who fought for Canada through its history.

It notes that while several thousand First Nations, Metis and Inuit people willingly volunteered to fight for Canada, upon returning home many were discriminated against by the Canadian government and not afforded the benefits given to non-Indigenous veterans.

"This beautiful monument is a tangible symbol of gratitude for the service and sacrifices of our Indigenous veterans," said Saskatchewan Lt.-Gov. Bernadette McIntyre during the unveiling ceremony.  

"By publicly saying thank you, we help to begin the process of healing."

The monument is a collaboration between Veterans Affairs Canada, numerous Indigenous veterans and several Crown Corporations. 

On its side, the word "honour" is displayed in Cree, Lakota, Dakota, Nakota, Michif, Anihsinape and Dene. 

Brad Hrycyna, the Chair of the Indigenous Veterans Monument Committee, said Victoria Park was chosen as the location for the memorial because of its high foot traffic.

"We wanted to make sure that the citizens of Regina and Saskatchewan fully understand that the Indigenous veterans that fought in the wars, even though by treaty were not required to do so, fought with courage and skill and honour," he said. 

"And when they were released from the army, they were not given the grants such as education, land grants and other financial benefits that the non-Indigenous veterans were accorded."

Regina in particular is notable for Indigenous military history, said Alex Maurice, an Indigenous veteran and president of the National Aboriginal Veterans Association. In his speech at the ceremony, he recounted the history of the Regina Rifle Regiment, which was in the first wave of landings on Juno Beach on D-Day and progressed farther inland than any other Canadian unit. 

According to Heritage Regina, at least 20 per cent of the regiment identified as Indigenous during the war.

"I always wondered 'why, why would they join?'" said Craig McCallum, the 4th Vice-Chief of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN). McCallum leads the veterans portfolio with the FSIN, and says he's heard the stories of many Indigenous veterans. 

"A lot of them said the same things. They love this land. They loved our way of life, they loved our people. And they also loved our treaty relationship. They did it to honour our part of the treaty. They did it because we're treaty partners. And so for us to sit back and watch Canada go into war and not do anything, that's not a partnership, that's not a true relationship."

The 80th anniversary of the Allied victory in Europe will take place on May 8. Indigenous Veterans Day will be held on Nov. 8.