By paNOW Staff

First Nations veteran and advocate remembered for kind spirit

Nov 15, 2010 | 5:45 PM

Chris Carr

paNOW Staff

He's being remembered as a kind and gentle spirit. Howard Anderson, a tireless advocate for First Nations veterans has died. Anderson passed away last week, just one day after Remembrance Day.

Anderson joined the Canadian Forces when he was 16, and served in the second world war. Following that, he served as the Saskatchewan First Nation's Veteran's Association Grand Chief. As such, Anderson lobbied Ottawa for recognition of First Nations who fought in world wars.

Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Chief Guy Lonechild is remembering Anderson as someone who championed rights issues associated with access to lands, and resources. He also ensured Canada was keeping its obligation to this province's first nation's vets.

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“He did so very proudly, and forcefully, but in a way that I think it got through to a lot of the government officials, in recognizing that there needed to be some kind of payment to veteran's and their spouses,” said Lonechild.

Anderson's work paid off in 2002. That's when the federal government finally offered compensation of $20 000 dollars for each eligible First Nation's vet, and their spouses. Anderson was 86.