On Remembrance Day 2007, 2 Service Battalion from CFB Petawawa joined the Algonquin community of Pikwàkanagàn in honouring those that made the supreme sacrifice. In full fighting order, the members of 2 Service Battalion, along with Chief Kirby Whiteduck, Veterans, Elders, and members of the community Fire Department, marched to the Algonquin Cenotaph on the First Nation.

The war Veterans of Pikwàkanagàn stood proudly alongside both young and seasoned Canadian Forces soldiers during the parade. United the group stood tall and proud for the Remembrance Day Ceremony.

Over 30 members of 2 Service Battalion stood on parade surrounded by 50 Algonquin community members, including Elders and children, under sunny skies to participate in the Remembrance Day ceremony at Golden Lake. Chief Kirby Whiteduck thanked 2 Service Battalion for the honour they bring to the community by joining in the annual Remembrance Day ceremony in Golden Lake. Manido Makwa performed opening drum song. MC and Executive Director, Dan Kohoko read We Will Remember and Councillor Jim Meness read Flanders Fields. Community Member Ron Bernard offered a beautiful opening and closing prayer for our ceremony. A small sacred fire burned during the ceremony where tobacco was offered after the laying of the poppies. A group of young boys, Mikons Drum Group shared a song, "Soldier Boy" at the end of our gathering.

Platoon Commander Lieutenant Payant spoke on behalf of the battalion saying that Canadian Veterans fought for more than freedom from oppression. “They fought for liberty, democracy, and respect for humanity,” he said, “Such are the values that we honour on Remembrance Day. Our Veteran’s courage, dedications and sacrifice helped to position Canada as one of the most respected nations in the world.” Following the speeches Remembrance Day wreaths, then poppies and tobacco were laid in thanks and homage.

Native Canadians have a long history of joining their country in war efforts. During the two World Wars, our Native peoples had the highest enlistment rates per capita, of any ethnic group in the entire country. During the First World War Canadian Natives participated and earned medals for valour in practically every major land battle. Over 50 percent of the Native men who fought in the Second World War were decorated. Native men participated in every major battle and campaign of this war, including the disastrous Dieppe landings and the Normandy invasion. Hundreds of Native soldiers were killed or died from wounds during the war.

Canadian Natives are still enlisting in the Canadian Forces and are still risk their lives to ensure others have the freedom we enjoy as Canadians. On the bottom of the CFB Petawawa logo, in a yellow ribbon, are the words 'Endazhe Kinamandowa Chimaganishak’. This Algonquin phrase originated in Golden Lake. It translates into ‘The Training Ground of the Warriors’. Only a few Algonquin Warriors still survive in Pikwàkanagàn, we take the time to thank them, and all members of the Canadian Forces for their bravery and the sacrifices they made and still make, for our freedom.

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