The poppy to the left was designed by artist, Andy Everson, of the K’ómoks First Nation

​Did you know that November 8th is annually recognized as National Aboriginal Veterans Day in Canada? National Aboriginal Veterans Day started in Winnipeg in 1994 to honour all First Nations, Mètis and Inuit soldiers who served in war for Canada. Prior to 1994, Indigenous soldiers were not permitted to participate in Remembrance Day ceremonies as a group or to lay wreaths. Indigenous veterans were only allowed to attend as an individual. 1994 was the first year that an Indigenous soldier placed a wreath at the Cenotaph in Ottawa. It wasn’t until 1995 that Indigenous soldiers were allowed to march as a group or lay a wreath at the Cenotaph in Vancouver. The National Aboriginal Veterans Monument was unveiled in Ottawa in 2001. Learn more about the memorial here: Aboriginal War Memorial. Find out more about Indigenous soldiers by watching Forgotten Warriors NFB. 

Click here to see those who have served from the Tsleil-Waututh and Squamish Nations.