Events in Manitoba to mark National Indigenous Veterans Day

Indigenous Veterans Day is marked at the Minto Armoury in Winnipeg on Nov. 8, 2022. (Image source: Taylor Brock/CTV News Winnipeg)

National Indigenous Veterans Day is on Wednesday, and it’s a day to recognize how Canada’s First Nations, Inuit, and Metis people have contributed to military service in our country.

To mark the occasion, several communities and organizations around the province are holding events and services.

The following is a list of some National Indigenous Veterans Day events taking place in Manitoba:

BROKENHEAD OJIBWAY NATION

Brokenhead Ojibway Nation is holding a service on Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Private Tom Chief Memorial Hall. Everyone is welcome and a light lunch will be served after the ceremony.

CANADIAN MUSEUM FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

On Friday, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) is hosting a talk with Indigenous veteran Devin Beaudry at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.

During this event, Beaudry will talk about what it was like being an Indigenous person in the Canadian Armed Forces.

Beaudry joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1978 and served for 35 years.

More about this event can be found online. 

The museum is also offering free admission for veterans and military personnel from Nov. 7 to 12.

CSS MUSEUM

The Combat Service Support Museum will be open on Saturday, which is Remembrance Day, and the feature display is the Indigenous veterans display.

LONG PLAIN FIRST NATION

Long Plain First Nation is holding a pow-wow at the Keeshkeemaquah Conference and Gaming Centre on Wednesday. Registration begins at 11 a.m., with the grand entry at 1 p.m. everyone is welcome.

There will also be a flag-raising ceremony at the Long Plain First Nation Cenotaph. The event includes a flag raising at 11 a.m., a flyover at 11 a.m., and lunch at the Spirit Lodge.

NEEGINAN CENTRE

The students of the Aboriginal Community Campus are holding a National Indigenous Veterans Day ceremony on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. in the Rotunda of the Neeginan Centre, located at 181 Higgins Ave. Guests should arrive at 10 a.m. with the ceremony beginning at 10:30 a.m. There will be a light lunch after the ceremony.

ST. LAURENT

The Manitoba Metis Federation, the St. Laurent Legion and the RM of St. Laurent worked together to create and install more than 90 banners along Veterans Memorial Road, which honour veterans from the area.

The St. Laurent Legion and MMF are also holding a ceremony honouring the Red River Métis veterans beginning at the St. Laurent Métis Branch. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. and the ceremony begins at 11 a.m. The Royal Canadian Air Force is doing a fly-by in advance of the ceremony.

 UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA

The University of Manitoba is holding a light lunch and Indigenous Veterans Day presentation with Shauna Mulligan, a Métis PhD student and army reserve veteran, and Leo Baskatawang, an Anishinaabe scholar.

The event takes place on Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at 307 Tier Building. More information can be found online.