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  • Short Journalistic Project on Indigenous Veterans

    Ryerson University Journalistic Project on Veterans

    This short video was produced by Afnan Al-Kholani and her team from Ryerson University about Indigenous Veterans

    Music by: “In the moment” by Steve Oxen

  • Mental Health for Canadian Veterans

    Hello Fellow Vets,

    For those dealing with mental health issues, please refresh yourself with Understanding mental health – Veterans Affairs Canada

    Please don’t face mental issues on your own.

    Blessings, stay safe, stay well

    Bob

  • Never Forgotten National Memorial

    We have a technical/message issue with the Petition e-3017, and will be re-writing the Petition to improve the message, so, if you haven’t already signed it, please hold off, and if you have signed, please stand by to help again when we have the new one on line.

     

    Hi All,

    The Never Forgotten National Memorial, approved to be built at Green Cove, in the Cape Breton National Park, under the Conservative Government, had funding cancelled after the 2016 election and Parks Canada has now withdrawn from the bargaining table for a License of Occupation (aka Building Permit) necessary to allow the Foundation to raise funds for the monument.  Petition e-3017 has been raised to convince the Minister of Environment and Climate Change to have Parks Canada to return to the Bargaining Table with the intention of working out a Building Permit for the monument. More information is at   nfnm.ca
    Your support is critical to moving this forward.  Please read the Petition below and then go to
    then Register and sign the petition.
    Thanking you in advance.
    Bob McLeod, President
    403-603-8842







    Petition e-3017 to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change


    Whereas:

  • Hello Fellow Veterans

    My good friend John Jewitt voluntold me to be this site’s new Admin.

    No issues! I am somewhat familiar with WordPress, but I will learn as I go.

    Now that I am “on the job”, I invite you all to deluge me with articles to populate the site.

    I hope everyone is faring well during this COVID-19 pandemic.

    Stay well, stay safe.

    Bob

  • Aboriginal Veterans Monument – 11 November 2020

    Image may contain: 1 person, standing, shoes, sky and outdoor

    L-R: Aurel Dube, Bob Crane, John Jewitt and Guy Dancause downtown paying respects

  • Coding for Veterans

    Only 5 Spots Remain for our January 2021

    Only 5 spots remain for the Coding for Veterans January 2021 cohort which is starting on January 5th, 2021.  If you know of someone who is interested in finding out more information about the program, go to this link. https://www.codingforveterans.com/apply/ .  There is still time to apply to complete the program entry requirements in order to start in January.

     

    Special Note: Last week we gave a C4V update to Minister MacAulay and the progress that the program has made throughout the pandemic.  We were happy to report that our enrollment numbers have continued to increase throughout the year.

    Tania

    Tania Robinson

    Community Manager-Coding for Veterans

  • Remembrance Day Message 2019

    It is that time of year once again that we pause and reflect on our Aboriginal Veterans in the Spirit of Remembrance.  We remember all those who fought, were wounded and we remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in countless battles and conflicts where we stood shoulder to shoulder with our brothers and sisters of Canada prior to and beyond Confederation.  We as First Nations, Metis & Inuit have a great deal to be proud of for the services paid to this great country.  As Aboriginals we have served in all conflicts with dignity, pride, integrity, loyalty and courage.  From the War of 1812, where we were the deciding factor for moving Canada to nationhood, we have taken part in all wars and conflicts and we have been a part of peacekeeping and peacemaking operations, standing side by side with our non-Aboriginal brothers and sisters.

     

    During our service we were equal.  We shared the hardships and the good times as soldiers, sailors and airmen and women.  We volunteered for service with the crown and proved our tenacity, will to win and will to succeed in all operations.  We did and continue the legacy of our ancestors as proud and gifted warriors.  For those who we lost we solemnly remember them and will continue to honour them through our spiritual prayers to Creator.  Words cannot console those feelings of loss of those who died during the horrors of war they will never be forgotten. We also offer words to all of those whom we stood side by side and we are proud to call thgose brothers and sisters our comrades in arms.

     

    It is this time of the year that we must put all political differences and issues aside and that we not engage in any political rhetoric during this extremely important day. We cannot lose the focus on exactly what this day means and the importance of Remembering all Veterans both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal.  I ask everyone to join with me on Remembrance Day as well honour our brave warriors who never came home and we ask the Creator to take their souls into his care in the Spirit World.

  • ACVA Committee Report on Indigenous Veterans

    ACVA Committee Report – Indigenous Veterans: From Memories of Injustice to Lasting Recognition | ACVA Rapport du Comité – Les vétérans autochtones : des souvenirs d’injustice à une reconnaissance durable

     

     

    (Le français suit)

    Good afternoon, (from 8 February 2019)

    Today, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs tabled a report entitled: Indigenous Veterans: From Memories of Injustice to Lasting Recognition. View the full report.

    The report contains 12 recommendations:

    Recommendation 1

    That Veterans Affairs Canada commit to continuing to hire Indigenous staff, with the intention of reaching a number that is at least proportional to the number of Indigenous veterans who are served by the Department.

    Recommendation 2

    That the Canadian Armed Forces delegate to each Canadian Ranger Patrol Group sufficient financial authority to ensure that the group can quickly reimburse Canadian Rangers for personal equipment that is broken while they are using it on duty.

    Recommendation 3

    That Veterans Affairs Canada produce a pamphlet outlining its main programs and services in the most common Indigenous languages, and that this pamphlet be distributed to all Canadian Ranger patrols.

    Recommendation 4

    That Veterans Affairs Canada incorporate in all its communications to the general public, and in all its program outreach efforts, a message or a question like “Have you worn the uniform?” or “Have you served?” so that veterans can easily identify themselves as veterans.

    Recommendation 5

    That Service Canada add services provided by Veterans Affairs Canada to the list of services it promotes when its representatives travel to meet with communities in remote areas.

    Recommendation 6

    That Veterans Affairs Canada work with the territorial governments so that territorial service officers working in Northern communities are able to offer local direct access to Veterans Affairs Canada programs.

    Recommendation 7

    That Veterans Affairs Canada and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs pursue an agreement to ensure better coordination of programs and services available to Indigenous veterans and their families who served in the Canadian Armed Forces and now reside in the United States, and Indigenous veterans and their families who served in the United States’ Armed Forces and now reside in Canada, including access to the Military Family Resource Centres.

    Recommendation 8

    That Veterans Affairs Canada and Indigenous Services Canada ensure that the funding parameters for services provided to Indigenous veterans living on reserve do not create a disadvantage for them in comparison to other veterans.

    Recommendation 9

    That Veterans Affairs Canada provide the House of Commons Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs with an explanation of the reasons that a settlement agreement was not reached to compensate Métis veterans of World War II and their families.

    Recommendation 10

    That Veterans Affairs Canada continue working with Métis and Métis organizations to ensure that Métis veterans and their families have access to all benefits and settlements to which they are entitled, and to ensure the access as soon as possible.

    Recommendation 11

    That Veterans Affairs Canada take steps to bring together representatives from associations representing Indigenous veterans so that it can share information about its programs and help create an environment where they can regularly communicate their various concerns.

    Recommendation 12

    That Veterans Affairs Canada review the eligibility criteria of its programs that provide funding for war memorials so that remote communities wanting to honour the memory of their veterans are better able to do so.

     

     

     

    Aujourd’hui, le Comité permanent des anciens combattants de la Chambre des communes a déposé un rapport intitulé : Les vétérans autochtones : des souvenirs d’injustice à une reconnaissance durable. Consultez le rapport en entier.

    Le rapport contient 12 recommandations :

    Recommandation 1

    Qu’Anciens Combattants Canada s’engage à continuer d’embaucher du personnel autochtone, avec l’intention d’atteindre un nombre au moins proportionnel au nombre de vétérans autochtones qui sont clients du Ministère.

    Recommandation 2

    Que les Forces armées canadiennes délèguent à chacun des Groupes de patrouilles des Rangers canadiens une autorité financière suffisante pour leur permettre de rembourser rapidement les bris d’équipements personnels utilisés par les Rangers canadiens lorsqu’ils sont en service.

    Recommandation 3

    Qu’Anciens Combattants Canada produise une brochure présentant ses principaux programmes et services dans les principales langues autochtones, et que cette brochure soit distribuée à toutes les patrouilles des Rangers canadiens.

    Recommandation 4

    Qu’Anciens Combattants Canada incorpore dans toutes ses communications à large public, et dans tous ses efforts de sensibilisation (outreach) à ses programmes, un message ou une question, comme « Avez-vous déjà porté l’uniforme ? » ou « Avez-vous déjà servi ? » permettant aux vétérans de s’identifier aisément comme vétérans.

    Recommandation 5

    Que Service Canada ajoute les services offerts par Anciens Combattants Canada à la liste des services regroupés qu’elle fait connaître lorsque ses délégations se déplacent pour rencontrer les communautés en régions éloignées.

    Recommandation 6

    Qu’Anciens Combattants Canada entreprenne des démarches auprès des gouvernements des territoires afin que les agents de services territoriaux travaillant au sein des communautés du Nord soient en mesure d’offrir localement un accès direct aux programmes d’Anciens Combattants Canada.

    Recommandation 7

    Qu’Anciens Combattants Canada, le ministère de la Défense nationale et le département américain des Anciens combattants recherchent une entente permettant une meilleure coordination des programmes et services pouvant être offerts aux vétérans autochtones ayant servi dans les Forces armées canadiennes et vivant aux États-Unis, et les vétérans autochtones et leur famille ayant servi dans les Forces armées américaines et vivant au Canada, y compris l’accès aux Centres de ressources pour les familles des militaires.

    Recommandation 8

    Qu’Anciens Combattants Canada et Services aux Autochtones Canada s’assurent que les paramètres de financement des services offerts aux vétérans autochtones vivant dans les réserves ne les désavantagent pas en comparaison des autres vétérans.

    Recommandation 9

    Qu’Anciens Combattants Canada dépose au Comité permanent des anciens combattants de la Chambre des communes une explication des raisons empêchant la conclusion d’une entente concernant les revendications des vétérans métis de la Deuxième Guerre mondiale et de la guerre de Corée, ainsi que leurs familles.

    Recommandation 10

    Qu’Anciens Combattants Canada continue de collaborer avec les Métis et les organisations métisses pour veiller à ce que les anciens combattants métis et leurs familles aient accès à tous les avantages et règlements auxquels ils ont droit, et ce, dès que possible.

    Recommandation 11

    Qu’Anciens Combattants Canada entreprenne des démarches afin de réunir les représentants des associations représentant les vétérans autochtones afin de mieux faire connaître ses programmes et de créer des conditions propices au maintien de communications régulières reflétant la diversité de leurs préoccupations.

    Recommandation 12

    Qu’Anciens Combattants Canada revoie les critères d’admissibilité de ses programmes de soutien financier à l’érection de monuments commémoratifs afin de pouvoir mieux aider les communautés vivant en régions éloignées qui souhaitent honorer la mémoire de leurs vétérans.

     

  • Letter from the President – March 2019

    Our organization has been keeping busy over the past year leading into 2019.  We have established ourselves on 3 Advisory Boards of Veterans Affairs Canada and although it may appear little has been accomplished by the government, we have managed to see some movement on the issues.  I would recommend that all members keep looking to our website for information.

     

    I wish to thank John Jewitt, on behalf of all members, for the extremely hard work he has done over the

    Photo Credit: Able Seaman Anne-Marie Brisson
    Canadian Forces Support Unit (Ottawa) Imaging Services
    © 2018 DND-MDN Canada

    past 2 months to give our website its new look.  I know it looks more professional and he will ensure that it is updated or upgraded as required.  I would ask all Directors to send writeups and pictures of activities and events in your area so that we can display them on the website for everyone to see.  Also, regarding John, he was honoured at the Silver Cross Luncheon with the Royal Canadian Legion Friendship Award which recognizes his work with the Legion on a host of projects, offering sound advice on Aboriginal protocols and reaching out to all Veterans.  He provided advice and guidance in the development and desing to the  2013 Year of the Aboriginal Veteran Legion pin which has turned out to be the best selling pin produced by the Legion

     

     

    Recently myself, John Jewitt, Devin Beaudry and Debbie Eisan were invited to a meeting in Winnipeg with the Veterans Transition Network.  They are trying to institute and Aboriginal component to their program which will help our Veterans and hopefully other non-Aboriginal Veterans.  The discussions centered on ensuring that what they do is in direct consultation with our Veterans (AVA) as well as respected and recognized Elders from all 3 of the groups on Canada.  I believe this will take time for them to create a meaningful program which answers the needs of transitioning members of the CAF and will assist those who may suffer from physical and/ or mental injuries.

     

    I have been invited to attend the National PTSD conference being held in Ottawa in early April.  This is being sponsored by the Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada.   This is key to any development of strategy to deal with PTSD and also suicides within the Veterans community, CAF, Fire Fighter, Police and other EMS agencies.  This is a start and we should be extremely happy that AVA has been invited.

     

    I would ask our membership to continue working hard and should there be a need or requirement that requires my direct input do not hesitate to contact me.

     

    Miigwetch, Marsee, Merci, Qujannamiik, All our Relations

     

    Robert Thibeau, CD

     

  • Aboriginal veterans recognized at 31st annual Algonquins of Pikwakanagan Pow Wow

    GOLDEN LAKE – Powerful drum beats and singing were the heartbeat that led the dancers in their colourful regalia around the grounds at the 31st annual Algonquins of Pikwakanagan Traditional Powwow.
    Indigenous people from across the region, Quebec and parts of the United States traveled to the reserve at Golden Lake this past weekend for the annual, late summer event which is both a celebration and a sacred rite.
    In addition, hundreds and hundreds of visitors flooded the grounds, curious about this cultural gathering. Everyone was quickly swept up in the music of the various singers and drummers, the dancing, the swirling of the fancy shawls, the jingling of the metal cones on the jingle dresses, the smell of wood smoke and tobacco, the scent of cooking traditional foods and the overall atmosphere of a great and unique cultural experience.

    To read the complete article, please click on the link below:

    https://www.pembrokeobserver.com/news/local-news/aboriginal-veterans-recognized-at-31st-annual-algonquins-of-pikwakanagan-powwow