John Moses recounts the challenges his father, Russell Moses, faced even after returning from the Korean War. Upon his arrival in Canada in 1952, the Indigenous residential school survivor was denied entry to a bar in Hagersville, Ont., due to his ethnicity. John, a member of the Delaware and Upper Mohawk bands from Six Nations of the Grand River and a third-generation Canadian Armed Forces member, highlights that this discriminatory treatment was not uncommon.
Russell, who served in the navy during the Korean War and later in the air force, passed away in 2013. His grandfather, Ted Moses, served as a mechanic with the air force during the Second World War. John, who worked as a communicator research operator with the Armed Forces in the 1980s and later at the Canadian Museum of History, underscores the irony faced by returning veterans who had fought for foreign nations’ sovereignty but returned to limited civil and political rights in Canada.
Indigenous Veterans Day, observed on Saturday, commemorates the wartime experiences of Indigenous individuals. Historian Scott Sheffield notes that for some Indigenous fighters, serving in the military offered a sense of belonging and a respite from racism at home. Sheffield emphasizes that while motivations for Indigenous people enlisting in the military varied, some saw it as a means to assert their right to be part of Canadian society.
The post-war era saw a shift in camaraderie and acceptance for Indigenous veterans. Many hoped for continued acceptance upon returning home, only to face disillusionment as they were once again marginalized. Sheffield mentions that some Indigenous veterans, like Tommy Prince, joined the military to challenge stereotypes and prove themselves equal to their non-Indigenous counterparts.
Indigenous veterans’ service has not always been fully recognized, with discrepancies in official records. Efforts to honor Indigenous veterans have gained momentum, with initiatives like the Last Post Fund Indigenous Initiative ensuring dignified funerals and military gravestones for unrecognized veterans. These efforts aim to acknowledge and honor the sacrifices and contributions of Indigenous veterans, fostering reconciliation and mutual respect.
The significance of Nov. 8 lies in celebrating the shared experiences and camaraderie among soldiers, irrespective of their backgrounds. Sheffield suggests that reflecting on the mutual respect experienced during wartime can guide reconciliation efforts and promote harmonious coexistence in Canada’s future.