Cadets Pay Homage to Indigenous Veterans
Local cadets paid tribute to Indigenous men and women at Brantford's Thank-A-Vet luncheon.
Petty Officer Second Class Joshua Ocampo, 15, of the 135 Royal Canadian Sea Cadets Corps Admiral Nelles, acknowledged the sacrifices made by Indigenous veterans.
Many were forced to surrender their Indigenous status or face exclusion from service, he said.
Indigenous warriors, such as Tom Longboat, Francis Pegahmagabow, and Tommy Prince,
endured hardship and discrimination even while wearing the same uniform as their comrades, Ocampo noted.
These individuals, despite facing systemic barriers, chose to fight for Canada, often at great personal cost.
Author's summary: Cadets honor Indigenous veterans at luncheon.