Honoring Courage: First Nations Veterans Day

Every year on November 8, communities across Canada gather to honour First Nations, Métis, and Inuit veterans who served and sacrificed in wars and peacekeeping missions around the world. Long before they were recognized as citizens or given the right to vote, Indigenous men and women volunteered to defend Canada and their homelands — driven by courage, duty, and a deep sense of responsibility to protect their people and lands.

First Nations Veterans Day was first recognized in 1994, after Indigenous veterans and advocates pushed for a day that specifically acknowledged their unique experiences. Many Indigenous soldiers returned from service to face ongoing discrimination and exclusion from the very freedoms they fought to protect.

Today, this day stands as both a tribute and a reminder — to honour their bravery, to remember their stories, and to continue the work of reconciliation. Ceremonies, songs, and stories shared across the country reflect not only remembrance, but also resilience and pride in the enduring strength of Indigenous warriors.

As we pause to remember, we give thanks to those who served — and continue to serve — in defence of their communities and this land.

We honor their service, their spirit, and their stories.