“Today, on Indigenous Veterans Day, we express our heartfelt gratitude to all First Nations, Inuit, and  Métis service members who have served in the Canadian Armed Forces. On this day, we also remember those who never made it home and those whose lives – and the lives of their families – were forever changed by conflict and war…

We all have a duty to remember and honour the sacrifices of Indigenous Peoples who have answered the call to serve. On behalf of the Government of Canada, I encourage everyone to take some time today to honour Indigenous Veterans and learn more about their past and current contributions to Canada’s proud military history.”

From the statement by Prime Minister Trudeau,
8 Nov 2023

On this 2023 Indigenous Veterans Day, we also want to recognize the military service of Indigenous and Métis soldiers particularly those who served in The Queen’s Own Rifles – both reserve and regular force – and in the battalions from the First World War which we perpetuate.

The latter include the 3rd Battalion, 83rd Battalion (Queen’s Own Rifles), 95th Battalion, 166th Battalion QOR, 198th Overseas Battalion Canadian Buffs, and the 255th Battalion (QOR) of the Canadian Expeditionary Force.

The museum’s research to date has identified thirty-four indigenous and four Métis who served with the above, and ten of whom gave the ultimate sacrifice.

We invite you to learn more about the soldiers listed below, several of whom include links to more extensive profiles. A † following their name indicates they died while serving.

A few of note are Rifleman Herman Stock who died on Juno Beach on D-Day, Rifleman Charles Nahwegezhic who was awarded the Military Medal before being killed in action in Holland near the end of WWII, Oronhyatekha (also known as Peter Martin) – a nineteenth-century member of the QOR who has a life story worthy of a film, and Chief Percy Joe whose profile include a recent interview with our Museum Director.

We also invite you to share any additional names or information by leaving a comment a the bottom of this post.

Lest We Forget

Indigenous:

1. Amiskuses, Vincent – Kawacatoose First Nation – Saskatchewan (WWII/Peacekeeper)
2. Bain, 868003 Acting Lieutenant John Faquhar – Prince Albert, Saskatchewan (182 Bn WWI with 2 1/2 yrs previous service with QOR)
3. Beaver, Rifleman Arthur William – Alderville First Nation, Ontario (WWII) †
4. Bressette, Lloyd Henry – Kettle and Stony Point First Nation, Ontario (WWII)
5. Cada, Paul Senior – Sheshegwaning First Nation (WWI)
6. Carlson, Frederick – Ojibway (Korea)
7. Chappise (Wemaystikosh), 486620 Private Peter Rupert – Cree from Chapleau and Moose Factory, Ontario (3rd Bn WWI) †
8. Dreaver, 886518 Corporal Joseph Sr. MM – Cree from Mistawasis First Nation – Saskatchewan. –  Band Chief post-war (107th -> 3rd Bn WWI, WWII)
9. Eagle, Sergeant James Wilfred – Saulteaux Ojibway Valley River Reserve – Manitoba (The Memory Project interview) (Korea)
10. Eagle, Norbert James – Ojibway from Ohskaning Reserve – Manitoba (Reg Force)
11. Ewenin, Rony – Kawacatoose First Nation, Saskatchewan (Korea)
12. Franklin,  201795 Private William Henry – Mississauga from the Alderville Band – Roseneath, Ontario (95th –> 4th Bn WWI) †
13. George,  Rifleman Harold Wayne (Reg Force) †
14. Harper, Louis – Wasagamack – Manitoba (Reg Force)
15. Jamieson, Corporal Harold – Oshweken, Ontario – Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation (WWII) †
16. Joe, Percy – Shackan First Nation, British Columbia (Reg Force)
17. King, SL163037 Rod – Lucky Man Cree Nation, Saskatchewan (Reg Force)
18. Lavelley, 788954 Private Peter – Golden Lake Band, Ontario (3rd Bn WWI) †
19. Ledoux, Phillip
20. McLaren, Peter Bertram Dalton – Timiskaming First Nation, Ontario (WWII)
21. Morrison, Joseph – Anishinaabeg of Naongashiing (Big Island) First Nation
22. Nahwegezhic, Rifleman Charles MM – Anishinaabe from Sheguindah First Nation (WWII) †
23. Okemaysim, Napoleon – Cree-Assiniboine, Beardy’s and Okemasis First Nation – Sask. (Reg Force?)
24. Oronhyatekha (also known as Peter Martin) – Mohawk
25. Ross, Steven M. – Cree from Montreal Lake, Saskatchewan (Reg Force)
26. Runns, Fredrick Sr. – Nakota from Carry the Kettle First Nation – Sintaluta, Saskatchewan (WWII & Post-war??)
27. Ryder, Andrew – Nakota from Carry the Kettle First Nation – Sintaluta, Saskatchewan (WWII plus Germany 1949-1952)
28. Smith, Frederick William – Chippewas of Rama First Nation, Ontario (WWII)
29. Stock, Rifleman Herman  – Haudenosaunee from Gibson Band [Wahta Mohawk] Sahanatien, Ontario (WWII – KIA D-Day) †
30. Thomas, 9254 Private Charles Alfred – Haudenosaunee from Six Nations First Nation, Oshweken, Ontario (QOR & 3rd Bn WWI) †
31. Thomas, 9255 William Sherman – Mohawk from Brantford, Ontario (QOR & 3rd Bn)
32. Wemigwans, B139461 Private Isadore – 3 Fires Confederacy from Wikwemikong – Manitoulin Island, Ontario (WWII)

Métis

1. Duva, Alcide Joseph Alzear (Post war Germany)
2. Ferland, Rifleman Norman Philip (Korea) †
3. Paquette, Joseph R. (1st Bn Reg Force)
4. Riel, Sergeant I.J. (Reg Force) Great-nephew of Louis Riel