November 8 is Indigenous Veterans Day. The First Nations, Inuit and Métis people of Canada have a long and proud tradition of military service to our country.

Known as Aboriginal Veteran’s Day when it was first established in Manitoba in 1994, Nov. 8 is now a national day for recognition and remembrance of more than 200 years of military service by First Nation, Metis and Inuit communities.

The story of Indigenous service in the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War and later Canadian Armed Forces efforts is a proud one. While exact numbers are elusive, it has been estimated that as many as 12,000 First Nations, Métis and Inuit people served in the great conflicts of the 20th century, with at least 500 of them sadly losing their lives.

On this day, we honour their sacrifices.