Monument unveiled for Métis veterans
- Andréa Ledding | August 12, 2014
At a moving ceremony at the Back to Batoche Days, Lennard Morin of Cumberland House finally witnessed the unveiling of the Métis Veteran's Monument. A veteran of the Korean War, Morin was from a family that had a tradition of serving in federal military engagements despite the Métis community having been on the receiving end of federal gunfire. Morin noted that even as a young person he had noticed how little was done for the veterans. He listened to, respected, and honoured them, building a monument in his community. Not all those who served, returned. Those who did survive were not treated well.
"My uncle, just like your uncles and fathers, they came home after the Second World War emotionally scarred for life," Morin said to the hundreds gathered for the unveiling. "Some were traumatized - they came home angry and mean; like David says they were supposed to be honoured and given land, compensated, that never happened. So they went to their traplines, and they had problems, and there was no counselling."
The imposing granite monument was designed with input from veterans - a circle of nine black pillars with a grey centre piece that will have Dennis Weber's original artwork etched into it. The first 7,000 names will be inscribed on the monument's pillars in 2015.
Identifying Métis Veterans had been difficult in the past because in the federal archives, it is not organized to reveal who is a Métis veteran.
"Research began in 1991 when the MNC hired Cathy Littlejohn to do research on Métis veterans. When the funding ran out, she continued on her own (and at her own expense) to compile the information," said Karon Shmon, Director, Publishing at Gabriel Dumont Institute of Native Studies and Applied Research. "Cathy wanted to give GDI the information, so the Institute hired her to do more research and to write the book "Métis Soldiers of Saskatchewan," 2012. It was Cathy's skill in identifying the veterans by surname and home community that helped identify who was Métis."
Littlejohn's research has been combined with names (and info) submitted by family members and friends of Métis veterans. Lastly, GDI's first book about Métis veterans, "Remembrances: Interviews with Métis Veterans," was published in 1997. GDI has also been adding to an ongoing database since 2010. Research has also taken place in other provinces. The large numbers reflect the significant contribution and the price paid by the Métis community defending Canada.
"Some came home, and every one of them would say the heroes were the ones who remain buried around the globe," noted Alex Maurice, veteran and provincial president of the Aboriginal Veteran's Association. "One must also remember that these soldiers were kids...17, 18, 19 years old in many cases. We are free today and we must never condone war but we must never forget our heroes."
He recalled Riel and Dumont's courage in their various ends, at the gallow noose and standing without bullets against the Gatling guns.
Veterans Edwin St. Pierre, and Harriet Oakes-St. Pierre said the Act of Remembrance in English and Michif, before the Last Post was played and silence observed.
The youth Honour Runners, who ran from Saskatoon to Batoche, presented each veteran with gifts, while the soldiers who had participated were given Métis sashes by the Métis veterans.
"This morning, these soldiers wouldn't eat until everyone else was fed," noted Shannon Loutitt, who had organized the "Road to Peace and Unity" Honour Run, adding it was typical of their selfless, everyday sacrifice.
Elder Norman Fleury said the opening prayer; musicians JJ Lavallee, Donny Parenteau, Jess Lee and Andrea Menard shared music, while many dignitaries and funders provided tributes. The monument funding was spear-headed by Gabriel Dumont Institute over the last few years and about $100,000 is still required. Parenteau, who produced a monument fund-raising CD for GDI entitled, "Honouring Our Heroes: A Tribute to Métis Veterans," had the crowd give a standing ovation to the many veterans present.