By Michael Joel-Hansen

Prince Albert Grand Council honours veterans

Nov 9, 2018 | 2:36 PM

Over 200 people came out to the Senator Allen Bird Memorial Centre Friday morning to honour First Nations veterans.

The Prince Albert Grand Council put on the event, which besides honouring veterans who have served in the armed forces, recognized those serving in agencies like the RCMP.

Steven Ross served in the Canadian Armed Forces for three years with the Queens own Rifles of Canada. During his service he was deployed overseas.

“I did peace keeping duties in Cyprus, Nicosia,” he said.

Ross explained ceremonies like the one held Friday morning are important as many paid the ultimate sacrifice during their service.

Crime

P.A. security guard robbed and stabbed, one person arrested

18h ago

Eyes on the prize

P.A.'s Zablocki and team finish group stage perfect at U18 women's hockey worlds

21h ago

Show of support

Traditions remain but fewer Ukrainian-Canadians celebrate Christmas in January

Jan 07, 2025

“We need to remember the people that did not return,” he said.

Ross added it is also important to honour veterans as many, especially veterans from the Second World War, are getting older and there are fewer than there have been previously.

“There’s fewer and fewer every year,” he said.

Veterans and dignitaries make the grand entry at the Prince Albert Grand Council’s Remembrance Day Ceremony @fsinations #RemembranceDay2018 #RememberanceDay pic.twitter.com/9cuLsqB6EM

— Michael Joel-Hansen (@mjhskcdn) November 9, 2018

 A number of dignitaries were on hand as part of the ceremony. They included Prince Albert Mayor Greg Dionne, Prince Albert Northcote MLA Nicole Rancourt and Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Chief Bobby Cameron.

Speaking to those assembled Chief Cameron spoke about having family who served and talked about the three rules he feels people should live by.

“Love your family, honour the gods and defend your country,” he said.

Cameron thanked the veterans assembled for all of their contributions and as well took time to thank the members of the RCMP who came out and spoke about the historical importance of the RCMP.

“To our hero’s our red coats, the significance of the red coats, when treaties were being signed the chiefs of the day were on one side, Alexander Morris and the Government of Canada were on the other,” he said.

Cameron explained one chief was concerned about the safety of their people and asked how the Government of Canada planned to keep peace and safety.

“Alexander Morris motioned to one of the red coats, stand up,(Morris said) I will assign one of these to keep the peace and order among your First Nation people, that’s the significance of the red coats, that treaty perspective, treaty aspect,” said Cameron.

Before the moment of silence, wreaths were laid down by people which represented different conflicts. One of the wreaths was laid down by Virgina Pechawis, a female veteran of the Second World War.        

Along with remembering the people who did not return from their service, Ross said people need to remember what those people were serving for.

“It’s very important for all of us here in this land too understand what freedom means and freedom was never free, people gave their lives so that you and I could walk on this land freely,” he said.

Trumpeter Terry Heckman plays the Last Post to wind up the PAGC Remembrance Day Ceremony. #RememberanceDay #RemembranceDay2018 pic.twitter.com/sUQJz0hQK8

— Michael Joel-Hansen (@mjhskcdn) November 9, 2018

Editor’s note: this story was amended to correct a typo.

MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn