In 2005 I felt the urge to drive down to Normandy for the weekend (Saturdaymorning till Sundayevening). I stayed on Juno Beach and met Nelson Bird on a desolate Juno Beach, his dad landed as a private of the Regina rifles. The suffered high casualties and the day after they were hit by the German 12th SS Panzer Hitlerjugend who expected to throw them back into the sea. A nasty fight followed but the First Nations soldiers from regina had a REALLY good eye for terrain: Note: the video starts near the end as that is were my story is 
Well see below:
2 Likes
Note: It is at the end of hour 11, the rest of the episodes are cool.
The Inukshuk is just outside the Juno Beach museum AND there is a dreamcatcher nearby put in there in 2005.
This is the documentary he made, this was for all the tribes and not just his own. He is a CTV presenter
Calling Home An Indigenous Circle Special - YouTube
2 Likes
During WW2 roughly 4300 natives served in the military as well as roughly another 5500 which included Métis, Inuit and those who were classified as non native. Of which around 200 native and 3-500 Métis, Inuit and those classified as non natives paid the ultimate price.
The tragedy was what happened after they returned from the war. Often denied or had their military pensions cut as because even though they were veterans they were still classified as native and as such all claims for benefits were handled by the Department of Indian affairs instead of the veteran affairs department and were unfairly treated due to their status as non Canadian.
It took many dozens of years to set things right but by then the damage had been done. Proud warriors who fought for Canada and upon their return after the war relegated to the dustbin of history.
4 Likes
Thanks for the extra info dearth!
2 Likes
