Mtis Crossing marks Indigenous Veterans Day in the shadow of ongoing inequities

With his red hair and greenish eyes, Bruce Gordon recalls passing for white while serving in the Royal Canadian Air Force.

But it's emotional for the Mtissergeant to remember the treatment of fellow Indigenous comrades.

"Getting off the train and suddenly you're treated differently again," Gordon, 78, recalled.

"The legions would not accept any Indigenous person in there to have a drink. They couldn't drink to salute their comrades."

For Gordon, it's important to share that history as MCof Friday's commemoration of Indigenous Veterans Day at MtisCrossing. Many Canadians still don't realize what happened, he said.

The ceremony near Smoky Lake, Alta., about 115 kilometres northeast of Edmonton, is starting at 1 p.m.

Itis one of many ways people across Canada are honouring the contributions of Mtis, First Nations and Inuit soldiers in the First World War,Second World Warand Korean War.

Still seeking compensation

Segregation was one of multiple forms of discrimination they met when returning to civilian life.

The MtisNation of Alberta is now assisting veterans and their families seeking reparations after being denied access to thebenefits and support programs provided to theirnon-Indigenous peers.

"I believe that Veterans Affairs is moving in that direction. It is a slow process," said Lisa Wolfe, secretary of veterans' affairs for the MtisNation of Alberta.

In a statement, aspokesperson for Veterans Affairs Canada said the federal government is committed to supportingIndigenous veteransand advancing reconciliation.

In 2019, Veterans Affairstransferred $30 million to the Mtis National Council to present Second World War Mtis Nation veterans withone-time payments of$20,000.

A team of Indigenous employees began meeting with Indigenous communities in 2023 to develop an outreach strategy to ensure veterans and their families are receiving the services they need, Veterans Affairs officials said.

"Moving forward, we will continue to work with Indigenous partners to ensure that Indigenous veterans are recognized for their service and sacrifice," Josh Bueckert, spokesperson for Veterans Affairs Canada, wrote in an email.

According to the federal government, up to 12,000 Indigenous people served in the world wars. At least 500 lost their lives.

Henry Louis Norwest, a decorated Alberta Mtis hunter-turned-sniper with a record 115 confirmed kills was fatally shot at 33, just before the First World War ended.

In the Second World War, code talkers like Charles "Checker" Tomkins from Alberta passed secret messages back and forth in Cree a role that only became public in the past decade.

Gordon served threeyears at CFB Bordon in Ontariobut family duties interfered with plans to deploy overseas.

Instead, his background in the air force and expertise as a Red Seal electrician allowed him to contribute in a different way.

In Edmonton, Gordon landed a job fixing American fighter jets bound for the war in Vietnam. It wasn't long before he was overseeing final inspections the last stop before the planes exited the hangar.

"It's your neck if they come crashing down," Gordon said.

Gordon's service continued as an 18-year member of the Legion of Frontiersmen in Edmonton, where he formed his own troop and was eventually promoted to sergeant.

Still working as an electrician, Gordon has MCd Remembrance Day events for years. He thinks it might take another generation to see true reconciliation but that doesn't diminish his love for his country.

"I'm very proud to be Canadian, proud to be an Albertan and proud to be Mtis."