By Charlotte Morritt-Jacobs - (@morrittjacobs on Twitter)

Indigenous Contributions In War Time

Nov 5, 2016 | 11:06 AM

LETHBRIDGE, Treaty 7 Territory – More than 7,000 Indigenous peoples made important contributions for Canada during the First World War, the Second World War and the Korean War.

These people were not Canadian citizens and voluntarily stood as allies in defense of the land.

Retired Master Bombardier, 20th Independent Field Battery Jon Athan Weiss, said that he joined the military at 18 years-of-age for a discipline and opportunities as a First Nations man from the Blood Reserve. 

During his time in the service, Athan Weiss graduated from Lethbridge College and The University of Lethbridge.

After schooling he left the military to take a teaching position with Red Crow Community College.

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Athan Weiss said that while he did have some negative stereotypes projected onto him he watched comradery build and with more FNMI enlisting in military pursuits.

“As you are told going into the military there is no colour or gender — you are all green and you are all the same. That warrior spirit is in our (FNMI) culture and traditional roles. Many who joined in WW1 and WW2 were trying to be patriotic and give back to their country. In some cases the military was the only avenue available to them at that time.”

The proud heritage of warrior was shown locally by soldiers from the Blood Tribe such as Mike Mountainhorse, who was known for his traditional Buffalo hide robe. On this robe Mountainhorse drew pictures documenting his experiences.

Unfortunately, the equality enjoyed by FNMI soldiers on the battlefield did not continue as troops made their way back home.

The policies of enfranchisement under the Indian Act resulted in many FNMI soldiers returning to see their identity as Status Indians stolen from them.

As Athan Weiss explained, the government’s efforts in assimilation and false promises cut deep. 

“In the First World War when First Nations soldiers came home the government told them that they were improved and more European so they didn’t need supports. All of the skills and achievements overseas that were based on your culture were overlooked.”

The act stated that any FNMI who was absent from the reserve for four consecutive years would lose their status.

Upon returning home, many soldiers discovered their reserve lands had been sold to the Soldier Settlement Board. LIN

Around 500 Indigenous soldiers died during the First and Second World Wars

Most Indigenous veterans who served in the three wars did service in ground troops, with many becoming snipers or reconnaissance scouts using their traditional skills to carry out dangerous missions.

FNMI also contributed time and time again through their native languages playing a crucial role sending and receiving coded messages.

On the days leading up to Remembrance Day on Nov. 11, Lethbridge News Now will deliver an “11 Days of Remembrance – Did You Know” feature segment discussing topics of interest which illustrates Lethbridge’s direct and indirect involvement in military pursuits.