Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict Honours Veterans on Indigenous Veterans Day

(Toronto, Ont. – November 8, 2024) Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict issued the following statement in recognition of Indigenous Veterans Day, extending deep respect and gratitude to First Nations veterans and those currently serving:

“On Indigenous Veterans Day, November 8, we honour the incredible courage, resilience, and sacrifice of First Nations veterans and active-duty service members across Turtle Island. Indigenous peoples have served with distinction in every major conflict, from World Wars, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, to peacekeeping missions and modern operations around the globe.

We remember the thousands of our First Nations kin who enlisted, often at great personal cost, bringing invaluable skills as scouts, code talkers, and medics, and contributing their expertise to the front lines and beyond. Many of these veterans faced racial discrimination and were forced to sacrifice their cultural rights and identity as the price of their service.

Today, I encourage each of us to honour these stories and this legacy. Attend a ceremony, whether in person or virtually, to show your remembrance and gratitude.  Let’s stand together with the families of our veterans to ensure that they are not forgotten. Their strength and dedication to community live on in us, and it is our responsibility to ensure that their sacrifices are remembered and their spirits honored for generations to come.”

Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict

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The Chiefs of Ontario support all First Nations in Ontario as they assert their sovereignty, jurisdiction, and chosen expression of nationhood. Follow Chiefs of Ontario on Facebook, X, Instagram, or LinkedIn @ChiefsOfOntario

Media Contact:

Isak Vaillancourt
Communications Manager
Chiefs of Ontario
Telephone: 416-819-8184
Email: isak.vaillancourt@coo.org

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