(Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Indigenous Veterans

Ceremony for Indigenous veterans being held ahead of Remembrance Day in P.A.

Nov 9, 2021 | 9:30 AM

The sacrifices made by Indigenous men and women who joined the military are being honoured ahead of Remembrance Day.

The Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) and Saskatchewan First Nation Veterans Association are holding the ceremony Wednesday morning.

Steven Ross, Grand Chief of the Saskatchewan First Nation Veterans Association, told paNOW this is to ensure the work these veterans did isn’t pushed to the side.

“We came to their ceremonies and what happened is they put us at the back of the parade and our leaders saw that and said this isn’t right.”

Ross, along with members of his organization are travelling across the province over the next couple days to take part in different ceremonies. Ross was in Regina on Monday to acknowledge National Aboriginal Veterans Day.

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The fact many communities are choosing to hold their events on days other than Remembrance Day is allowing them to visit more areas.

“Not every community can provide a ceremony for their veterans, that’s why we get involved,” added Ross.

He will personally be in Prince Albert for the ceremony.

Holding an event on a day other than November 11 also isn’t new to the community.

Emile Highway, president of the P.A. branch of the Saskatchewan First Nations Veterans Association, echoed Ross’s comments.

He explained too many men and women were previously known as ‘forgotten soldiers,’ and this event ensures this won’t happen again.

“A lot of people don’t know that, so we want to bring forth that awareness to the general public.”

The ceremony will officially take place at Parkland Hall starting at 9:00 a.m.

Meanwhile, the P.A. branch of the Royal Canadian Legion is holding a small ceremony at the City Hall courtyard on Remembrance Day.

The personal and business wreaths will be laid before the ceremony due to COVID-19 precautions.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow