By Bryan Eneas

PAGC honours veterans, fallen comrades during remembrance ceremony

Nov 10, 2017 | 1:53 PM

The Prince Albert Grand Council celebrated their living veterans and honoured the fallen Indigenous veterans who served in the First and Second World War, the Korean War and those who served in peace time.

The day was filled with speeches from dignitaries and veterans alike. Representatives from the City of Prince Albert and the Prince Albert Grand Council were joined by their counterparts from the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations and members of Chief and Councils from around the region. The RCMP and members of the Prince Albert Police Service were also in attendance today.

“The First Nations veterans, they didn’t have to enlist. But the Treaties, in those Treaties, I think, we agreed to share the land and the resources,” PAGC Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte said. “Our homeland was being threatened, so that’s why the First Nations veterans enlisted in the First World War, the Second World War, the Korean War.”

Also honoured was the widow of Sgt. Darby Morin, Veronica Morin, who travelled to the Senator Allen Bird Memorial Gymnasium to share her story.

“When this day is over, we still have to go home and go to bed without him, every single day,” Veronica said. “He was a very, very proud father who did a lot for our family.”

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She said she still wears Darby’s dog tags whenever she needs strength. By the time the grand exit ceremony took place, the dog tags found their way around her 11-year-old son’s neck. She concluded her speech to those gathered in the gym by saying she was thankful for the new family she had found in the Saskatchewan First Nations Veterans Association.

Newly elected FSIN Vice Chief David Pratt was in attendance along with fellow Vice Chief Kimberly Johnathan. During her address, Johnathan asked veterans to record their stories.

“Maybe you’ll share them one day, or maybe you won’t,” Johnathan said. “History is being written right now… Those truths, if we have those stories written down, we’ll be able to write these history books.”

Before leaving for a prior commitment, PAGC Vice Chief Chris Jobb addressed the crowd. Jobb said he has a great deal of respect for the veterans.

“The veterans have set an example for us. They were brave to go out there, risking their lives, leaving their families, leaving their loved ones,” Jobb said. “I would never be able to do that, I’m not going to lie to you. They were brave, and I’m proud of them, and I honour them.”

Bryan.Eneas@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @BryanEneas