June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada, an opportunity to learn about the unique cultures, traditions and experiences of First Nations, Inuit and Métis. It’s a time to honour the stories, achievements and resilience of Indigenous Peoples, who have lived on this land since time immemorial and whose presence continues to impact the evolving Canada.

The House of Commons designated June as National Aboriginal History Month in 2009. The name was changed to National Indigenous History Month in 2017.

Many Indigenous and Métis people have served in the Canadian Military, including The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada.

These are developing lists of Indigenous and Métis soldiers who have served with The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada or the perpetuated battalions for the First World War Canadian Expeditionary Force († indicates killed in action or died of wounds or battle injuries. )

• 3rd Battalion
• 83rd Battalion (Queen’s Own Rifles)
• 95th Battalion
• 166th Battalion QOR
• 198th Overseas Battalion, Canadian Buffs
• 255th Battalion (QOR)

Two soldiers of particular note are B64652 Rifleman Herman Stock who was killed in action on D-Day and   B52575 Rifleman Charles Nahwegezhik, MM  who was posthumously awarded the Military Medal.

If you know of Indigenous or Métis veterans of The Queen's Own Rifles who are not listed below, please send your information to museum@qorumuseum.org 

Indigenous Veterans

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, SL163853 Corporal Phillip Narcisse – Mistawasis Nêhiyawak, formerly known as Mistawasis First Nation (Reg Force)

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)

Some information is sourced from the Aboriginal Veterans Tribute List.

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