PCs Support Indigenous Veterans Day Act to Honour Centuries of Service, Sacrifice
WINNIPEG — Manitoba PCs voted to pass Bill 210, The Indigenous Veterans Day Act, Thursday to formally recognize Nov. 8 as a day to honour the countless Indigenous people who have served in Canada’s defence, pre- and post-Confederation.
“First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people in Manitoba have a long and proud tradition of military service to our country, many sacrificing their lives so that we all may live a life of peace,” said Spruce Woods MLA Colleen Robbins, PC Critic for Military Affairs. “November 8 serves as a day of remembrance but also as an act of reconciliation. Many Indigenous veterans fought for our freedoms only to face discrimination while serving and upon returning home.”
Last session, Progressive Conservatives also put forward updates to Legislature rules so that the Legislative Assembly going forward does not sit on Nov. 8.
“We wanted to ensure that MLAs are able to be in their constituencies to commemorate Indigenous Veterans Day with their local communities,” said Interlake-Gimli MLA Derek Johnson, PC House Leader. “If these incredible men and women can put their lives on the line for us, the least we can do is make time to honour them too.”
“Manitoba in many ways has historically been at the forefront of supporting Indigenous veterans in Canada, and we are honoured to continue that tradition,” added Johnson, whose constituency is home to St. Laurent Métis Legion Branch #250—the only such branch throughout Canada.
Ojibway veteran Randi Gage, who recently helped build a veterans’ memorial in Riverton, was instrumental in establishing (what was then) Aboriginal Veterans Day in the 1990s. Peguis First Nation Veteran Bill Shead, chairperson of the Neeginan Centre and former Mayor of Selkirk, has also played a vital role in commemorating Indigenous veterans. In 1993, Winnipeg became the first municipality to recognize Aboriginal Veterans Day, and Manitoba the first province in 1994.
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For media inquiries, please contact PCCaucus_Media@leg.gov.mb.ca