Remembrance Day is commemorated on November 11th to honour the brave men and women who have served and continue to serve Canada during times of war and conflict. We would like to take this opportunity to give special recognition to the over 7,000 Indigenous soldiers who served during the First and Second World Wars and the Korean Wars, a few of whom are spotlighted below.
Tommy George Prince One of the most decorated Indigenous war veterans in Canada is Tommy George Prince. Born in 1915 on the Brokenhead Reserve in Manitoba, Tommy received a Military Medal, the Silver Star, and six service medals. He served in the Second World War and the Korean War.
To read more on Tommy Prince, click here.
Tommy George Prince
Charles Checker Tompkins A Métis Second World War veteran from Alberta, Charles was a Cree code talker whose role was to translate and broadcast confidential radio messages into Cree so they would not be understood by unintended recipients. Subsequently, another Cree-speaking code talker would then translate the received messages back into English for the intended recipients.
His story is now featured in a documentary by Alexandra Lazarowich called Cree Code Talker, available to watch on YouTube.
Charles Checker Tompkins
Francis Pegahmagabow Born in 1891 on Shawanaga First Nation, Francis is one of the few to have fought in the First World War almost entirely from beginning to end. Having received a Military Medal and two bars, Francis is one of the most highly decorated Indigenous soldiers in the Canadian military and well-known for his skills as an expert marksman and scout.
To learn more about Francis, click here.
Francis Pegahmagabow
Henry Louis Norwest Henry was a Cree born in 1884 in Fort Saskatchewan, who was a saddler, rancher, and rodeo performer before serving as a Royal Northwest Mounted Police Officer. He went on to become a distinguished sniper in the 50th Battalion in World War I at the Battle of Vimy Ridge, the Battle of Passchendaele, and the Battle of Amiens. Henry received a Military Medal and bar.
To learn more about Henry, click here.
Henry Louis Norwest
To learn more about Indigenous Canadian war heroes visit:
Xyntax extends thanks to our brave Indigenous heroes, past and present. Thank you for your service and your sacrifice. Lest we forget.
