National Aboriginal Veterans Day – Saturday, November 8, 2025
Today, we pause with deep respect and gratitude to honor the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of Indigenous veterans who served this land with unwavering dedication. For generations, First Nations, Inuit, and Métis men and women stepped forward, many from remote communities, and often without full recognition of their rights or the equality they deserved, to defend freedom and peace in times of war and conflict.
We remember those who did not return home and those who carry the memories of war within them, often in silence. Their sacrifices, too often unacknowledged, are the foundation of the freedoms we have and cherish today.
Here in McLeod Lake, we are deeply honored to have with us Patrick Prince (joined the army 1957-1963/ SM 108357), an Indigenous veteran whose life embodies courage, humility, and service. Patrick reminds us that remembrance is not only about the past, but also about how we live today, how we honor those who came before us, and how we ensure that their legacy of strength and resilience continues.
Elder Geraldine Solonas shared with us that her father and brother helped in the protection of peace and freedom. Richard Solonas also served time in the army. Andrew Solonas, Sr., an Aboriginal Veteran, fought in the last world war as a sniper, which is how they used our people for such skills.
An MLIB Elder shared the teaching on how reconciliation is intertwined in honoring this day, “Reconciliation also means recognition, recognizing the immense contributions of Indigenous veterans, acknowledging the hardships they endured, and ensuring that their stories are never forgotten.”
We encourage everyone to take a minute to acknowledge and carry forward the spirit of the Indigenous veterans’ service, unity, and love for the land and people.
Stop by the MLIB Health and Wellness Centre: Tse’khene Du’gha to view the table acknowledging Aboriginal Veterans Day, November 8, 2025 and Remembrance Day, November 11, 2025, as it commemorates the end of World War I and honors those who have served in Canada’s Armed Forces in times of war, conflict, and peace.