Question Period Note: INDIGENOUS VETERANS

INDIGENOUS VETERANS

• Our Government is committed to supporting and recognizing Indigenous Veterans.

• We are acting on the recommendations stemming from the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs’ 11th Report, Indigenous Veterans: From Memories of Injustice to Lasting Recognition.

• A key priority is to ensure that Indigenous Veterans are aware of Veterans Affairs’ programs and services and ensuring that they are getting the services they need.

• We developed a strategy on outreach to Veterans and their families living in northern communities, including Indigenous Veterans living in the North, and have committed to complete 12 visits to the North per year since 2017. COVID-19 pandemic has paused the in person visits, but the department reached out to 355 Veterans living in the Northern areas through proactive calls in November and December 2020 to assess their needs and provide immediate help.

• Increasingly, we are partnering with others such as Canadian Rangers, the Royal Canadian Legion, Service Canada and Indigenous Services Canada to increase awareness of Veterans Affairs Canada programs and services.

• We intend to increase the availability of information on our programs and services in the most common Indigenous languages. To date, we have published two videos intended for Canadian Rangers in Inuktitut and Northern Cree, have developed a banner in Inuktitut, and posters in 17 Indigenous languages.

• We amended the Commemoration Partnership Program (CPP) Terms and Conditions to provide greater support to Indigenous and remote communities for their war memorial projects. As of November 2021, CPP has approved 7 Indigenous projects for a total of $33,878 in this fiscal year.

• The contribution and sacrifice of all Indigenous Veterans will not be forgotten.

BACKGROUND – INDIGENOUS VETERANS

Canada’s Indigenous Peoples - First Nations, Métis and Inuit - have a proud tradition of military service. While exact numbers are difficult to determine, the rate of Indigenous participation in Canada’s military has been significant. It is estimated that as many as 12,000 Indigenous people from Canada served in the two world wars, with at least 500 of them sadly losing their lives.

Remembrance and Honouring Service:
Commemoration of Indigenous Veterans is achieved through various components of Veterans Affairs Canada’s Canada Remembers Program, including memorials, Heroes Remember, the Canadian Virtual War Memorial and learning opportunities. The Canada Remembers Program promotes remembrance of Canada’s Indigenous Veterans’ achievements and sacrifices and seeks appropriate opportunities to create awareness of their military contributions. Veterans Affairs Canada has been working to highlight and profile the contributions of Indigenous Veterans on its website: https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/people-and-stories/indigenous-veterans. This site contains a number of stories relating to the contribution of Indigenous Peoples’ along with classroom materials and lesson plans for students of varying ages.

Through its funding programs, the Department has supported many commemorative projects and memorials dedicated to our Indigenous Veterans and fallen heroes. Indigenous peoples from every region of Canada have a strong tradition of service, and their courage and contributions are a source of pride to their families, communities and all Canadians.

On 13 June 2019, the Métis Veterans Recognition Payment Agreement of $30 million was signed. The Métis National Council administers this program to recognize Second World War Métis Veterans for their pre- and post-war experiences, and support commemorative initiatives that promote awareness and appreciation of Métis Veterans’ sacrifices and contributions.

Under the Agreement, the Métis National Council launched the Métis Veterans Legacy Program and as of 29 June 2021, a total of 75 Recognition Payments have been awarded to Second World War Métis Veterans and survivors.

Memorials
The National Aboriginal Veterans Monument (Ottawa, Ontario) honours the contributions of all Indigenous people in war and peace support operations from the WWI to today. The Francis Paghmagabow monument (Parry Sound, Ontario) serves to commemorate Canada’s most decorated Indigenous soldier of the First World War.

In March 2021, the Commemorative Partnership Program (CPP) Terms and Conditions were amended and now give the Department flexibility to provide greater support to Indigenous and remote communities for their war memorial projects. For war memorial projects in Indigenous communities, recipients may be reimbursed up to 100% of eligible expenditures, not exceeding a maximum of $50,000. The program guidelines were also updated on the website.

In the spring, and in consultation with Communications Division, CPP proactively reached out to Indigenous communities across the country about funding available to support community war memorial projects and community engagement projects. The outreach lead to some new applications. Program contact information was provided to all for possible future projects.

As of November 2021, this fiscal, CPP has approved 7 Indigenous projects for a total of $33,878. There are currently 3 projects under review.

Serving Indigenous Veterans:
The Government of Canada is committed to meeting the needs of Indigenous Veterans, regardless of where they live. Veterans Affairs Canada remains committed to offering high quality services to all Veterans regardless of where they live in Canada, including those living in urban, rural, remote and northern communities. Through its ongoing Case Management service offering, Veterans Affairs Canada service teams provide services to all parts of Canada including rural and remote communities. Veterans living in those communities or on reserve can also receive in person home visits on an as needed basis.

Indigenous languages
Veterans Affairs Canada is committed to doing its part to ensure a broad understanding of its program and service offerings in the most commonly used Indigenous languages, and has published two videos in two indigenous languages, intended for Canadian Rangers. Posters and banners in Indigenous languages have also been developed to further outreach in Northern Territories. Officials are working to develop information on VAC programs and services in the most common Indigenous languages.

Other developments

In December 2020, the Assembly of First Nations officially announced the creation of a First Nations Veterans Council. Departmental officials are establishing regular contacts with the Veterans Council to explore collaborative opportunities to better respond to the needs of First Nations Veterans and their families.

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