Ceremonies to honour First Nations veterans scaled back, moved online due to pandemic – CBC

‘We’re not going to leave our comrades in the spirit world behind,’ says veteran Ray Deer

Nov 06, 2020

Nov. 8 marks National Aboriginal Veterans Day, a day observed to recognize First Nations, Métis, and Inuit contributions to military service. But for many First Nations communities this year, long-standing traditions have been changed by the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.

Kahnawake, a Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) community just south of Montreal, founded its branch of the Royal Canadian Legion in 1951. Ever since, they’ve commemorated Remembrance Day with a parade.

This year, however, there will be no bagpipes or drums from the Black Watch, no dignitaries, nor a packed legion hall filled with veterans and their families sharing a meal. Instead, a small ceremony will take place on Saturday with just the colour guard, piper, bugler, rifle squad and legion officers.

Read More: https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/indigenous-veterans-ceremonies-pandemic-1.5791281

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