Question Period Note: INDIGENOUS VETERANS

• Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) is committed to supporting and recognizing First Nation, Métis and Inuit Veterans, and advancing reconciliation by ensuring awareness and access to VAC programs and services.
• In 2023, VAC created the Indigenous Veterans Engagement Team, staffed by Indigenous Veterans and allies, which has conducted 150+ engagements with Veterans, families, and communities.
• Since 2017, VAC has carried out 12 annual outreach visits to northern and remote Indigenous communities, alongside ongoing partnerships with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit organizations.
• In February 2025, VAC signed a Letter of Understanding with the Assembly of First Nations to advance joint priorities in engagement, outreach, and commemoration.
• The 2019 Métis Veterans Recognition Payment Contribution Agreement with the Métis National Council provides eligible Second World War Métis Veterans and survivors with a $20,000 recognition payment, and funds for commemorating Métis Veterans’ contributions.

Canada’s Indigenous Peoples—First Nations, Métis, and Inuit—have a long and proud military tradition. An estimated 12,000 Indigenous people served voluntarily in the two World Wars, with at least 500 losing their lives. Recognizing this service is central to VAC’s commemorative efforts, including learning materials for schools, exhibits at Vimy and Beaumont-Hamel, and Indigenous inclusion in national and international ceremonies. Monuments such as the National Aboriginal Veterans Monument (Ottawa) and the Francis Pegahmagabow Monument (Parry Sound) honour these contributions.
In March 2021, the Commemorative Partnership Program (CPP) was updated to allow Indigenous communities to receive up to 100% reimbursement (max $50,000) for war memorial projects.
VAC also supports Indigenous Veterans’ health through the Indigenous Veterans Health Project with Indigenous Services Canada, offering culturally safe mental wellness services. These include:
• Cultural and Emotional Supports (Traditional Healers, Elders, land-based healing, peer support)
• Mental Health Counselling for Survivors of Residential/Day Schools, families, and those affected by Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people
• Transportation assistance when services are not locally available
For Métis Veterans specifically, the 2019 Métis Veterans Recognition Payment Contribution Agreement ($30M), administered by the Métis National Council, recognizes Second World War Métis Veterans with payments and commemorative initiatives. As of June 2021, 75 payments had been issued. The MNC also launched a Commemorative Program in 2021.
The Métis National Council, once comprising five governing members (Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, BC), has undergone shifts:
• 2021 – Manitoba Métis Federation withdrew
• 2022 – Métis National Council leadership pursued legal action over fiduciary breaches (VAC not a party)
• 2024 – BC and Saskatchewan withdrew
Today, the Métis National Council consists of the Métis Nation of Ontario and Otipemisiwak Métis Government (Alberta).
Meanwhile, the National Métis Veterans Council—supported by the Métis National Council but non-political— continues to represent Veterans from Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta, BC, and the Northwest Territories. VAC remains committed to working with the Métis National Council and other Métis Veterans to ensure Métis Veterans receive the recognition they deserve.

QUICK FACTS & FIGURES
• The 2021 Census was the first since 1971 to ask about military service. It counted 23,075 Indigenous Veterans:
o 10,950 First Nations
o 10,440 Métis
o 755 Inuk (Inuit)
o 930 with other/multiple affiliations
• Indigenous Veterans made up 5.2% of all Veterans in private households.
Funding
• Commemorative Partnership Program supports projects in Indigenous communities or commemorating Indigenous Veterans:
o 2024-25: 41 projects – $874,386
o 2023-24: 31 projects – $213,000
o 2022-23: 27 projects – $346,000
• Budget 2024 added $6M over 3 years to the Veteran and Family Well-being Fund, including support for Indigenous, women, and 2SLGBTQI+ Veterans.
o In 2024–25, $2.4M was awarded to 4 Indigenous-focused projects:
 Southern Chiefs’ Organization Inc. – $1,000,000
 Manitoba Métis Federation – $400,000
 Métis National Council – $400,000
 Assembly of First Nations – $600,000
Engagement
• Indigenous Veterans Team created in spring 2023; conducting outreach with communities nationwide.
• Working with the Assembly of First Nations Veterans Council under Letters of Understanding (April 2023 and February 2025).
• Building stronger relationships with Métis and Inuit Veterans.