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| Contact Us | November 2006
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Veterans Honoured in Remembrance Day ServiceSTORY AND PHOTOS BY RON MERASTY
They honoured veterans of World War I, World War II, the Korean War, NATO soldiers, peacekeepers, and soldiers who have served in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan. The veterans being honoured and recognized hail from different reserves and Aboriginal communities throughout the province but make their home in Prince Albert and area: Raymond Sanderson, Irwin Hennie, Azarie Bird, Sedley Settee, Bennett Halkett, Joe Cadotte, Stephen Ross, Walter Johnston, Emile Highway, Herb Parks, Ray Alexson, Joseph Whitehead, Richard “Barney” Desnomie, Frank Munroe, Bill Munroe, and Cyrus Standing.
Elder Allan Longjohn said to the approximately 100 visitors that were there to pay tribute and respect to their warriors, which, in the Cree language, are called “simâkanisêkânak” (“quasi-police”). The ceremony also paid tribute to the late RCM “simâkanis,” Robin Cameron, who lost her life in the line of duty. She had lost her life in her role as a peace officer.
The Prince Albert Branch of the Saskatchewan First Nations Veterans Association were honoured in a Remembrance Day Service at the Senator Allan Bird Memorial Centre at the Opawikoscikan Reserve in Prince Albert on November 11. Front row, l-r: Elder Allan Longjohn, William (Bill) Thompson, Cora Thompson, Frank Munroe, Raymond Sanderson, Albert Starblanket, Walter Johnston, Bennett Halkett, Herb Parks, Grand Chief Ron Michel. Middle row, l-r: Philip Ledoux, Bill Munroe, Cyrus Standing, Irwin Hennie, Emile Highway, Victor Sanderson, Vice-Chief Ed Henderson. Back row, l-r: Vice-Chief Don Deranger, Const. Horace Ratt (Prince Albert City Police), Richard “Barney” Desnomie, James Whitehead, Roy Alexson, Stephen Ross, Sedley Settee, Azarie Bird, Master Cpl. Jack Hennie, Cpl. Eric Hennie. |
Dignitaries included Grand Chief Ron Michel, under whose watch inaugurated the Remembrance Day service in 2005; PAGC Vice-Chiefs Ed Henderson and Don Deranger; Elders, such as Edna Henderson, Mike Daniels, and Howard Walker; special guest MLA Joan Beatty; FSIN Vice-Chief Glen Pratt; and Archdeacon Adam Halkett of Montreal Lake. The event’s emcee was Roger I. Bird.
The service started with a Grand Entry by veterans and dignitaries, led by carriers of the Saskatchewan First Nations Veterans Association Eagle Staff, the flags of Canada, Great Britain (with whom the Treaties were signed), Saskatchewan and of the Prince Albert Grand Council. Elder Mike Daniels smudged sweetgrass. All marched and danced to the singing and drumming of the Wahpeton Juniors.
Grand Chief Michel recalled how the Remembrance Day Service had started in 2005, following a meeting with the late veteran Senator Allan Bird, long a mainstay of the Prince Albert branch of the Saskatchewan First Nations Veterans’ Association. He had asked the late Senator how they, as veterans, observed Remembrance Day. He knew that they usually attended a service at the Prince Albert Armoury.
The late Senator had said that they met with their former army buddies later, who were there with their families, and sometimes afterward went to a local tavern to reminisce with refreshment in hand. It begged the question as to what better could be done.
It was then that the Grand Council decided to honour the veterans with a Remembrance Day Service and a meal. The first event was rather modest with few in attendance. A committee was struck to better plan this year’s service.
While he was Chief of Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, said Grand Chief Michel, he never properly acknowledged the contributions and sacrifices of three of his band members who had served overseas during World War II. They included the late Moise Canada of Pelican Narrows, who landed at Normandy on D-Day; the late Daniel Merasty, who served five years in armed forces, including in Sicily and Italy; and Thomas Beatty of Weyakwin, who had been a Sergeant in his platoon.
“We want the families to remember what their fathers and grandfathers did for freedom in this country,” Grand Chief Michel stated.
He said that it was an honour for him and the PAGC to rename the Child Care & Education Centre gymnasium as the Senator Allan Bird Memorial Centre. The late Senator Bird was a combat veteran of the Korean War, a former Chief of Montreal Lake Cree Nation, a builder of the Prince Albert Grand Council organization, and a strong presence in the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations.
“It was a great day for us and the family,” Grand Chief Michel said.
Vice-Chief Henderson said they were there, “to honour the veterans who are with us and those that are not” – those that had lost their lives in service to their country.
“We honour those people who laid their lives on the line, that allows us to enjoy the freedom we have today,” he said.
Vice-Chief Deranger, picking up on a point Vice-Chief Henderson made, said that the First Nations veterans who had served overseas had not been afforded the same benefits that had been provided to non-First Nations veterans upon returning home. When soldiers served overseas, they were all equal, he stated, and that in combat, the enemy did not racially discriminate against particular soldiers. He thanked all for attending.
Vice-Chief Glen Pratt, from Gordon’s First Nation, paid homage to the women who stayed behind caring for their families when the men went to war, and of the sacrifices they had made.
He said that First Nations soldiers serving overseas, took the experiences they had from serving with their fellow soldiers as equals back to Canada, back to Saskatchewan and built a strong provincial organization that is now the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations.
A former cadet for seven years, Vice-Chief Pratt said he learned the idea of leadership. “One attribute of leadership is courage,” he said. “Our veterans have that courage.”
He also spoke of his grandfather, Howard Anderson, a former Grand Chief of the SFNVA, of how Anderson had been provided with an allotment of land from his own reserve as a war veteran. “The country should be ashamed of doing that,” he said.
The Honourable Joan Beatty acknowledged the contributions of veterans, saying that her Uncle Tom Beatty had come back from the war as a changed man, often needing to wander off by himself to regroup. She also noted that veterans, “wanted that same respect back home and they organized politically” upon returning to Canada.
Archdeacon Adam Halkett recalled that Archdeacon Charlie Halkett had served in the Canadian army during World War II. He also had kind words for the late Senator Bird, who had encouraged him in his ministry.
“The Elders that were called to rest—we thank them for the freedom we enjoyed today,” he said.
Veteran Philip Ledoux, who had served in the 1st and 2nd Battalion, Queen’s Own Rifles, subbing for SFNVA Branch President Hilliard Gardiepy, who was absent that day, read the honour roll paying tribute to 19 Saskatchewan First Nations veterans from all over the province who had passed on in the last two years. He also read the names of all veterans in attendance at the service.
He said that many widows could not attend today, as they were taking part in ceremonies in their own reserves. Next year’s Remembrance Day Service, he said, would have more information on veterans, including regimental numbers and the theatres that they had served.
Raymond Sanderson, a member of Chakastaypasin First Nation, who has lived at James Smith Cree Nation, and who had served “two tours” with NATO in Europe, recalled two “grandfathers who went to war.” One was Pat Brittain, who had attended an industrial school and had learned the blacksmith trade.
Whenever they had asked “Moshom Brittain” (Sanderson had referred to him as such in 2005) about the war, all he’d say (in Cree) was, “War is bad; war is terrible!”
Moshom Brittain was a blacksmith during the Great War when horses were still much in use. However, during the Battle of the Somme, when soldiers were falling all around him, he had to pick up a rifle and join in the combat.
Sanderson provided basic details of First Nations participation in the World Wars. “3500 of our people answered the call; 400 were from Western Canada—300 saw battle; 93 fought at the front with 50 percent casualties.”
“Any veteran would say that the real heroes are left behind,” Sanderson said.
Having served in Europe and having had the opportunity to visit many war cemeteries there containing thousands of graves, Sanderson said, “You can feel the spirit of the veterans. It’s incredible.”
Sanderson, who is also a former RCMP Special Constable, although he didn’t mention that fact, also paid tribute to the late RCMP Officer, Robin Cameron, who died in July 2006 while on duty. He said he had spoken to her just days before she died, saying what a wonderful person she had been, and how much her death affected him.
Sanderson ended his address by stating that the SFNVA would be reviewing the veterans’ compensation package because some had been overlooked and had not been compensated. He said that many widows could benefit as a result.
Sheila Naytowhow, great-granddaughter of the late Senator Bird, read John McCrae’s In Flanders Fields, followed by the laying of 8 wreaths, commemorating the fallen.
Al Ducharme, Vice-President of Finance for First Nations University of Canada, provided details of a Veterans’ Memorial Tipi, to be established at their Regina Campus, which was envisioned by First Nations and veterans.
“It will honour the sacrifices of our First Nations warriors for what they gave and are giving of themselves and their families.”
They were not given the same respect given to other veterans upon returning to Canada, he said.
The memorial to be built largely due to a generous $1.2 million donation from Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority, will have information on-site of all Saskatchewan First Nations veterans, accessible with the touch of a keyboard. He hopes that the project will be completed before November 11, 2007.
Each veteran attending the service was provided with a gift, presented by the PAGC Executive, as well as other members of the PAGC Remembrance Day Committee, which included Tony Keewatin, PAGC Women’s Commission Chair Shirley Henderson, Terry Mirasty, Elder Allan Longjohn, and Jocelyn Longjohn.
Following the retirement of the flags accompanied by the singing and drumming of the Wahpeton Juniors, everyone joined in shaking hands with the veterans and each other. It was a great way of concluding the ceremonies with smiles and handshakes.
The event ended with an absolutely wonderful meal of turkey and all the trimmings.
It was a day to remember.
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