Lest We Forget: Recognizing the Service and Sacrifice of Algonquin Veterans

The courage, dedication and sacrifices of Indigenous veterans are an important part of Canada's military history. Yet, despite their willingness to serve and defend this country, many First Nations veterans returned home to face discrimination, unequal treatment and barriers to the rights and benefits afforded to other Canadian veterans.

These important stories were brought forward in a recent presentation hosted by the Historical Society of Ottawa, titled Lest We Forget: An Exploration of the Valour and Unequal Treatment of Algonquin Who Have Served in Canada's Armed Forces.

The presentation featured two distinguished Algonquin women: Wendy Jocko, Sgt. CD (Ret'd), former Chief of the Algonquins of Pikwàkanagàn First Nation and Canadian Armed Forces veteran, and Dr. Lynn Gehl, an Anishinaabe Algonquin advocate, academic, author and artist.

Watch the Presentation

To learn more about the history, service and experiences of Algonquin veterans, watch the full presentation, Lest We Forget, featuring Wendy Jocko and Dr. Lynn Gehl, hosted by the Historical Society of Ottawa.