Together, November 8 and 11 represent both remembrance and reconciliation — honouring not just those who fought abroad, but those who continue to fight for recognition, equality, and voice here at home.

Visit buff.ly/BRuGnS0 for more info on the legacy and contributions of Indigenous veterans.

Honouring Indigenous veterans reminds us that reconciliation requires truth, and remembrance must be inclusive of all who served, especially those who were forgotten for too long. Indigenous Veterans Day ensures that the full history of service is told, including those who were once erased from it.

This day, first recognized in 1994, arose from a need to make space for truth — to recognize that these soldiers’ courage was not only on the battlefield, but also in the fight for dignity and recognition upon returning home.

While serving Canadians in both World Wars and the Korean War, Indigenous soldiers were enduring systemic racism and exclusion at home. For generations, Indigenous veterans were overlooked in public ceremonies, denied equal benefits, and silenced in the national story of remembrance.

We are mindful of the 94 Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, particularly calls 62 through 65. As educators, we know we must do everything we can to provide appropriate and meaningful education to our students, so that they can help to build a better world for all.

We purchase items with purpose. We prefer to buy local, from independent/small businesses. This year, our Council gifts come from Bloom Moon Designs, made by a local Métis artist. Earlier this year, we coordinated an orange shirts order with Shoni Cree’s, an Indigenous-owned shop in Ile-des-Chenes.

This year, the SRTA Executive is doing a book study, reading “52 Ways to Reconcile: How to Walk With Indigenous Peoples on the Path to Healing” by David A. Robertson. It is a wonderful resource full of practical and thoughtful actions we can incorporate into our work and our lives.

I am committed to continuing our efforts towards reconciliation along with Seine River’s superintendent Colin Campbell. Today is only one day dedicated to that work. #OrangeShirtDay