Did you know that Indigenous veterans who fought for Canada in World War I and II were denied the same rights and benefits as their non-Indigenous counterparts?
Thousands of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit men volunteered to serve in both wars, despite not even being recognized as Canadian citizens at the time. Many fought with distinction, earning medals for bravery, serving as elite snipers, scouts, and code talkers. Some, like Tommy Prince, became legendary warriors. But when these soldiers returned home, they were not met with the same gratitude or support as non-Indigenous veterans.
Instead of being rewarded for their service, Indigenous veterans were met with discrimination, largely because of the Indian Act—a colonial law that controlled nearly every aspect of their lives. While non-Indigenous veterans received land grants, housing assistance, business loans, and financial support, Indigenous veterans were excluded or forced to go through Indian Agents—government officials who controlled Indigenous finances. Many of these agents mismanaged or withheld money meant for Indigenous soldiers, leaving them struggling to reintegrate into society.
The injustice didn’t stop there. The Canadian government took land from Indigenous reserves to settle non-Indigenous veterans, while Indigenous soldiers themselves were denied land benefits. Some Indigenous veterans were told that the only way to receive the same support as other returning soldiers was to give up their Indian Status—a choice that meant losing their legal recognition as Indigenous people, their connection to their communities, and their rights under existing treaties. For many, this was an impossible decision.
Unlike their non-Indigenous comrades, Indigenous veterans were not given the resources to build new lives after war. Many returned to reserves facing extreme poverty, with few employment opportunities and little government support. Despite serving their country, they remained second-class citizens in the eyes of the law.
For decades, this mistreatment was ignored. It wasn’t until 2002—over half a century after World War II ended—that the Canadian government officially acknowledged how Indigenous veterans had been treated. A compensation package was eventually created, but by then, many of the veterans had already passed away, never receiving the recognition or justice they deserved.
Even today, the full extent of the discrimination Indigenous veterans faced is not widely taught in schools or discussed in mainstream history. Their contributions to Canada’s military history are undeniable, yet their treatment at home was anything but honorable.
True remembrance means recognizing not just their bravery but also the injustices they endured. Indigenous veterans fought for a country that refused to fight for them in return—and that is a history Canada must never forget.
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🎨 ArtCredit: Emily Kewageshig (https://www.emily-kewageshig.com)
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