Indigenous reconciliation gathering at CFB Winnipeg celebrates identity, partnerships

Active military personnel, veterans and community leaders gathered at Canadian Forces Base Winnipeg this week for an Indigenous reconciliation event held ahead of National Indigenous Peoples Day.

The Indigenous Reconciliation Gathering, hosted at CFB Winnipeg in partnership with the Southern Chiefs’ Organization, the Manitoba Métis Federation and the Manitoba Inuit Association, also served as part of the celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of 17 Wing Winnipeg.

“It warms my heart to part of the work that is happening here,” said Justin Woodcock, program chief with the Southern Chiefs’ Organization.

The event brought together Indigenous organizations, military members and elected officials from all levels of government to highlight relationships between local Indigenous communities and the Canadian Armed Forces.

“What is a better way to honour a hundredth anniversary of 17 Wings than to highlight the relationships with the local Indigenous community,” Woodcock said.

Organizers said the gathering was designed to recognize Indigenous military service while fostering greater cultural understanding throughout the armed forces.

“It’s really meaningful for the Indigenous service members and veterans in attendance as this event really brings together two pieces of their identity – military service and their First Nation background,” Woodcock said.

Woodcock, who served in the Canadian Armed Forces for eight years, said cultural recognition and access to traditional practices can play an important role in supporting Indigenous members of the military. He said he would have appreciated having access to sweat lodge ceremonies and other cultural supports during his own service.

“When you can feel comfortable in who you are on base it makes you more effective at your job,” he said.

Organizers hope the event will not only support Indigenous military personnel and veterans, but also introduce non-Indigenous members of the military to Indigenous cultures and traditions.

“My hope that people will take away that deeper cultural understanding,” said Lt.-Col. Joshua Van Tine, deputy commander of 17 Wing Winnipeg.

The gathering was the first event of its kind at CFB Winnipeg and involved two years of planning, with contributions from more than 200 volunteers representing the partner organizations.

The event had originally been scheduled for June 2025 to coincide with the base’s centennial celebrations, but was postponed because of wildfires and evacuation efforts across the region.

“It was deemed that it would be inappropriate for us to host the event while we are doing those evacuations,” Van Tine said.

Van Tine, who served as lead planner for the gathering, said organizers wanted the event to demonstrate a commitment to reconciliation through action rather than symbolism alone.

“We want to move away from words. Everybody talks about reconciliation, but actions are harder to find,” he said.

The event also acknowledged the history of discrimination faced by Indigenous people in the military while emphasizing the importance of building stronger relationships moving forward.

“Reconciliation requires us to gather, to listen, to learn, to act, to build awareness, empathy and respect,” said Grand Chief Jerry Daniels of the Southern Chiefs’ Organization.