Ottawa, ON – The Hon. Pierre Poilievre, Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada and the Official Opposition, released the following statement on Indigenous Veterans Day:
“Out of the tragedies of the 20th century, tales of heroism and valour emerged. Not least among these inspirational stories are the courageous deeds of many Indigenous people who served in the Canadian Armed Forces. These incredible servicemen and women dedicated their lives to the defence of freedom, and today, we recognize their unique contributions to Canada’s military.
“Indigenous Veterans served in the Battles of the Somme, Passchendaele, the Dieppe Raid and other historic moments in both World Wars. At Vimy Ridge, Indigenous marksmen and infantrymen helped Canada achieve one of our most iconic military victories. Years later, Cree code talkers would work with the Allies to communicate sensitive information, aiding the war effort in a profound way.
“Individual heroes such as Henry Norwest, Tommy Prince and Francis Pegahmagabow will forever be remembered for their extraordinary actions as they fought to protect the vulnerable and free the oppressed.
“Indigenous peoples continue to offer their skills and abilities throughout the Canadian Armed Forces. Today, we honour every Indigenous service member whose courage continues to strengthen our military and safeguard our country against our enemies. Together, we thank these brave men and women for their service and commit to moving forward on reconciliation in all areas of Canadian life – including in our Armed Forces.”