Photo of Clarence Wolf Leg "Skip" preforming at the Calgary Military Museum on Indigenous Veterans Day
November 11 is a day people across Canada take time to remember and pay respect to members of Canada’s Military, especially those who never returned home.
However, for a long period of time many Indigenous service veterans who serviced in the Canadian armed forces gave an ultimate sacrifice which was their status as an Indigenous person, than later upon returning home.
Many were told to give up their veteran’s rights to regain their status as an Indigenous person, because of the sacrifice many members of Canada’s Indigenous community made through out the country’s history.
On November 8, 2023, a small ceremony took place at Calgary’s Military Museum where members of the city’s military community gathered to honour the contribution of their fellow Indigenous service men and women.
Speakers at the event where Amber Boyd of the Metis Nation of Alberta who not only serviced as a Medic but also has a long family history of military service which trace back to the Battle of Batoche.
CJWE spoke with Boyd who shared her experience at the event and how she uses her platform as a writer to share these stories.
Photo of Amber Boyd at the Calgary Military Museum for Indigenous Veterans Day
Another Veteran at the event was Clarence Wolf Leg Sr. who toured during the Korean War with the Canadian Horse Artillery, then later served as the Siksika Chief of Police.
Wolf Leg’s family has a long history of service that date back to when his grandfather was responsible for watching over the border of the Siksika Nation.
He is also an active voice for Indigenous Veterans in Canada and currently is a pipe holder for Indigenous veterans which was made at Vimy Ridge.
Wolf Leg Sr. currently works with Veterans move forward as they transition back to civilian live and shared with CJWE about his work.
Photo of Clarence Wolf Leg Sr. Sharing at the Calgary Military Museum for Indigenous Veterans Day
After each speaker shared their stories a performance from Clarence Wolf Leg Jr. also known as Skip, along with Siksika dancers (Women’s fancy and Jingle) preformed Blackfoot warrior songs and cultural teaching of how warriors stayed in shape while finding healing through dance.
The event concluded with a tour of the various exhibits currently on display at the museum with the general public paying for admission to attend the event.
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