Brenda Mercer holds up a poppy she beaded together in time for National Indigenous Veterans Day (Tiffany Goodwein/CHATNewsToday)

By Tiffany Goodwein

November 8 is National Indigenous Veterans Day

Nov 8, 2021 | 5:24 PM

MEDICINE HAT,AB– Flags were lowered to half-mast across the country, including Veterans Memorial Park in Medicine Hat, to honour the service and sacrifice of Indigenous Veterans.

National Indigenous Veterans Day was proclaimed in Manitoba back in 1994 as a way to acknowledge their service.

Indigenous people served in World War I, World War II, the Korean war, and recent conflicts in the middle east.

According to Veterans Affairs Canada, their roles varied from sniper to scout, On the home front, their contributions continued with the donation of food, money, and clothing. Reserve lands were also used to build new airports, rifle ranges and defence installations.

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Brenda Mercer, cultural coordinator with the Miywasin Friendship centre said while, indigenous people undoubtedly served in many wars, they faced a lot of discrimination when it came to recognizing their service.

“I think it wasn’t until the 1950’s when Indigenous people could raise a glass to fellow people who have served in the past. There was a lot of different things where we couldn’t lay wreaths down, we were not able to be at the capital,” she said.

Mercer said dedicating time towards education, is a really good way to support the sacrifices of Indigenous veterans.

An article written by Veterans Affairs Canada that details some of their service can be found here.