OTTAWA, TODAY – Mr. Stéphane Ouellette, President and Chief Executive Officer, Merchant Navy Commemorative Theme Project (MNCTP), joined the Government of Canada in honouring National Aboriginal Veterans’ Day.

This special day honours the men and women of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples that have defined our military history for over 200 years. From the War of 1812, both World Wars, the Korean conflict, to the present day Canadian Armed Forces, our Aboriginal Veterans have served and continue to serve Canada with honour and distinction.

Despite being exempt from conscription, nearly 10,000 aboriginals volunteered for service during the First and Second World Wars. In fact, aboriginal participation in Canada’s war efforts was proportionately higher than that of any other group of people in Canada. Several Indigenous soldiers became enfranchised before they were permitted to fight in the Second World War. When they returned to their home communities after this war, their Indian status was revoked, and many were denied services and support offered to non–aboriginals. Many succumbed to a life ending in despair and poverty.