Annual First Nations Veterans Summit hosted by Southern Chiefs’ Organization

The Southern Chiefs’ Organization hosts their third annual First Nations Veterans Summit on Sunday, to celebrate, honour, and support First Nations Veterans, with the theme: “look how far we’ve come”.

“Suffer from silence, that was something that was drilled in our head, and that’s something that I try to undo I the work that I do now, and letting veterans know that it’s okay that they come forward and ask for help,” said Justin Woodcock, the program manager of the SCO.

“I think days like today, when we come together, we recognize that complicated military history and that service and sacrifice and honour it in a good way, is important to moving forward in healing and towards reconciliation.”

David Pankratz, the MLA for Waverley and Special Envoy for Military Affairs added, “Really, when we talk about indigenous veterans, they fought shoulder to shoulder with other Canadians in service for this country and when they came home, some of them were not given the same rights and the same treatments and so this is just an opportunity to learn more about our history and move forward as one Manitoba.”

Woodcock says a big part of the summit is collaborating with support services for veterans and bringing them under one roof.

“The occupational stress injury clinic at the Deer Lodge, we have the Atlas Institute of Veteran Health Research, we have the Military Family Resource Centre, and all these folks provide veteran services, and having this all together in one spot is critical because it allows veterans to engage with these service providers and let them know what services are available to them,” said Woodcock.

The full-day summit featured opening prayers and ceremonies, breakfast and lunch, as well as a keynote speaker.

“It’s Master Warrant Officer Robert Brown, he’s the Indigenous advisor for the commander of the Canadian Army.  And his speech today is going to touch on that same thing: look how far we’ve come. For him, it’s in regard to the reconciliation efforts within the Canadian armed forces,” Woodcock explained.

Woodcock says for many First Nations veterans, finding a safe space to express their lived experiences in service is crucial.

“It’s okay to be vulnerable, and it’s pay to share your lived experience, and I think having this program by First Nations veterans for First Nations veterans, having that shared experience really creates trust to build that relationship and allow them to be vulnerable.”