![The Sto:lo Nation's plaque and carving stands in a garden of headges. Wreaths decorated with poppies and ribbons for Remembrance Day are planted in front. Members of the Sto:Lo stand on either side, one Elder holds the eagle staff to lead the procession. A forest is in the background.](https://frequencynews-wpoffloadmedia.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/14182311/IMG_8793-1024x768.jpeg)
Local reflections on Indigenous Veterans Day
Indigenous Veterans Day, Nov. 8, honours and reflects on Indigenous veterans who fought in wars that Canada has played integral roles in.
Maggi Davies, UFV’s Alumni Engagement Coordinator, comments that the relatively new separate day of reflection from the traditional Remembrance Day is an institution “that Canada is still struggling” to incorporate during this week of remembrance.
To Davies, the separate day lets her reflect on ancestors that may have enlisted under false names to avoid disenfranchisement.
“For my family, it left us wondering who they were, and we have no answers,” Davies says. “Having a specific day where I can remember those uncles who I don’t know those details of – and then having the day November 11th to remember all of the family members that I had that have served, and I know their records, I can find their records – I can honour their contribution.”