John Moses recounts that upon his return from the Korean War, his father, Russell Moses, faced racial discrimination in Canada. In 1952, Russell was denied entry to a bar in Hagersville, Ont., due to his Indigenous heritage. John, a member of the Delaware and Upper Mohawk bands from Six Nations of the Grand River and a third-generation Canadian Armed Forces member, shared this family history.
Russell, a navy veteran of the Korean War who later served in the air force, passed away in 2013. His son highlighted the paradox faced by returning veterans who had fought for foreign nations’ sovereignty but were denied equal civil and political rights in their own country.
Indigenous Veterans Day, observed on Saturday in Canada, commemorates the wartime contributions of Indigenous people. Historian Scott Sheffield notes that for some Indigenous soldiers, the military provided a sense of belonging and acceptance absent in their civilian lives.
Sheffield, an associate history professor, mentioned that Indigenous individuals enlisted in the military for various reasons, including adventure, economic motives, and as a political statement asserting their place in Canadian society.
The camaraderie experienced during wartime often dissipated upon soldiers’ return home. Many Indigenous veterans hoped for continued acceptance post-war but faced ongoing discrimination. Some reenlisted for the Korean War seeking the same sense of purpose and belonging they had found in the military.
The federal government recognizes over 4,000 Indigenous individuals served in the First World War, with a significant number volunteering despite facing systemic marginalization. Sheffield believes that the actual number of Indigenous soldiers in the Second World War may have been higher than officially recorded.
Acknowledging the injustices faced by Indigenous veterans, the government has initiated efforts to honor and recognize their contributions. The Last Post Fund Indigenous Initiative, established in 2019, aims to provide dignified funerals and gravestones for veterans. Indigenous researchers across Canada are locating and marking graves of unrecognized Indigenous veterans.
As reconciliation efforts progress, the importance of recognizing Indigenous veterans has gained prominence. Indigenous Veterans Day and initiatives like the Last Post Fund Indigenous Initiative seek to acknowledge and honor the sacrifices made by Indigenous soldiers for their country.
