Winnipeg celebrates 32nd annual Indigenous Veterans Day
Posted November 8, 2026 5:34 pm.
Hundreds of people gathered at the Royal Canadian Legion in Elmwood to attend a ceremony honouring and remembering Indigenous veterans.
Robert Chapman, a 100-year-old Red River Métis veteran, attended the event and said he’s proud to have served and to be Canadian.
“It makes me feel very very happy,” said Chapman. “Living in Canada is a privilege, and I’m lucky to be here.”
Indigenous Veterans Day is not only a time to remember the service and sacrifice of First Nations veterans, but also to acknowledge the historical injustices they faced during and after their time in the military.
“We where left out of a lot of recognition,” said Shawn Nault, Minister of Red River Métis Veterans and regional director of the MMF. “Whether it was through services, Veterans Affairs Canada or even just to represent our people.”
Justin Woodcock served in the Canadian Armed Forces from 2009 to 2017. After losing many friends to suicide, he said it was time for him to take action. Woodcock now works as a coordinator with the Southern Chiefs’ Organization First Nations Veterans Program, something he says is more than a job, it’s a calling.
“For a long time in history we weren’t able to participate in the official Remembrance Day ceremonies, that’s where the origin of this day started,” said Woodcock. “It really lit a fire in me, and it changed the topic for me, it went from something I was seeing on the news to taking the people I loved.”
For Woodcock, Indigenous Veterans Day is incredibly significant, both personally and for all Canadians.
“Indigenous veterans’ day is extremely meaningful, as an indigenous veteran and just as a Canadian,” said Woodcock. “I think it’s important that we gather on days like today to shar our stories, recognize our history, and also lift up those indigenous veterans and show the youth in the community that there’s role models that look like them and that they can be successful in the Canadian armed forces as well.”
As Remembrance Day approaches, Nault left Canadians with an important message.
“Always remember our veterans, keeps us in your hearts and minds, talk to your kids, grandkids, all your family members, friends, let them know what the sacrifices all of our veterans have done for Canada,” said Nault.
