Three Indigenous men from Saskatchewan who served in the Canadian Armed Forces are reflecting on National Indigenous Veterans Day, which falls on Nov. 8. Mahekan Ahenakew, hailing from Ahatahkakoop Cree Nation, shared that his traditional upbringing served as a valuable asset during his time with the Canadian Army. This upbringing honed his skills in tracking game trails, reading the land, and understanding waters.
Ahenakew enlisted at 17 after encountering a recruitment booth at a powwow in Regina. Drawn by the camaraderie and brotherhood within the military, he joined Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry 2nd Battalion. During his service, he was deployed to Afghanistan with the North Saskatchewan Regiment and the 4th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group in 2009. Ahenakew emphasized the importance of November as a month of reflection on the sacrifices made by others.
Evan Taypotat, chief of Kahkewistahaw First Nation, was recently appointed as an honorary colonel for the Snowbirds after serving with the 1st Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry from 2009 to 2012, including a mission in Afghanistan in 2011. Taypotat highlighted the significance of Indigenous Veterans Day, noting the historical disparities in benefits for Indigenous veterans compared to their non-Indigenous counterparts.
Cy Standing, a veteran from Wahpeton Dakota Nation, joined the Royal Canadian Air Force at 18. He expressed admiration for historical Indigenous warriors like Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse, referring to them as the first veterans. Standing emphasized the importance of recognizing historical chiefs who defended their land and way of life. His overseas service as an electronics technician in Europe post-Second World War provided him with valuable experiences and cultural insights.
Standing recalled the supportive camaraderie among Indigenous service members abroad and cherished the opportunity to explore different cultures during his time off. Reflecting on his travels, Standing found similarities between the welcoming nature of the people he encountered and the sense of community back home on the reserve.
