Annual Ceremony of Remembrance for Indigenous Veterans

September 22, 2021

“As governor general and commander-in-chief, I thank Indigenous veterans—all veterans—as well as active military members and everyone who has sacrificed for our country. 

As an Indigenous person, I’m proud of all we have accomplished, and I look to the future with great hope.”

- Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary May Simon, Governor General of Canada

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary May Simon, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, attended an event in Confederation Park. The ceremony, hosted by Aboriginal Veterans Autochtones, was held to pay respect to Indigenous and non-Indigenous veterans, and to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the National Aboriginal Veterans Monument.

Her Excellency addressed the audience, which included Indigenous leaders and veterans, and members of the Canadian Armed Forces. She then laid a wreath on behalf of all Canadians.

 

The National Aboriginal Veterans Monument. The sky is grey and it is raining.

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary May Simon, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, attended a ceremony to pay respect to Indigenous and non-Indigenous veterans, and to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the National Aboriginal Veterans Monument. 

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2021-0073-001
The Governor General speaks with others assembled at the monument.

The event, hosted by Aboriginal Veterans Autochtones, was held in Confederation Park. 

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2021-0073-013
The Governor General speaks with others assembled at the monument.

Her Excellency addressed the audience, which included Indigenous leaders and veterans, and members of the Canadian Armed Forces. 

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2021-0073-016
Governor General Mary May Simon sits with others at the outdoor ceremony.

The National Aboriginal Veterans Monument was created in 2001, by Noel Lloyd Pinay of the Peepeekisis First Nation, in Saskatchewan.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2021-0073-023
The Governor General speaks with a man seated to her right. Both wear masks.

The National Aboriginal Veterans Monument was unveiled on June 21, 2001, by Canada’s 26th governor general, the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson. 

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2021-0073-024
A man in uniform speaks at a podium. Another man holds an umbrella to protect him from the rain.

The monument pays tribute to the Indigenous men and women who have served in the Canadian Armed Forces. 

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2021-0073-026
A woman speaks at a podium. An umbrella is being held over her to protect her from the rain.

This ceremony typically takes place on National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21), but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2021-0073-033
A man speaks at a podium. A military member stands behind him holding his cap to his chest.

The monument pays tribute to the Indigenous men and women who have served in the Canadian Armed Forces. 

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2021-0073-038
A woman stands at a podium. A man holds an umbrella over her to protect her against the rain.

The ceremony was organized to pay respect to Indigenous and non-Indigenous veterans and to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the National Aboriginal Veterans Monument. 

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2021-0073-040
A veteran speaks at a podium.

The monument pays tribute to the Indigenous men and women who have served in the Canadian Armed Forces. 

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2021-0073-042
A veteran speaks at a podium.

The audience included Indigenous leaders and veterans, and members of the Canadian Armed Forces. 

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2021-0073-043
The Governor General delivers her speech. She is outdoors. It is raining.

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary May Simon, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, attended an event in Confederation Park. The ceremony, hosted by Aboriginal Veterans Autochtones, was held to pay respect to Indigenous and non-Indigenous veterans, and to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the National Aboriginal Veterans Monument.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2021-0073-047
A crowd of people at the National Aboriginal Veterans Monument.

The event was held in Confederation Park. 

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2021-0073-051
The Governor General gives her speech. She is outdoors. A man in military uniform stands behind her, wearing a mask. It is raining.

Her Excellency addressed the audience, which included Indigenous leaders and veterans, and members of the Canadian Armed Forces.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2021-0073-053
The Governor General gives her speech. She is outdoors. A man in military uniform stands behind her, wearing a mask. It is raining.

“As governor general and commander-in-chief, I thank Indigenous veterans—all veterans—as well as active military members and everyone who has sacrificed for our country. 

As an Indigenous person, I’m proud of all we have accomplished, and I look to the future with great hope.”

- Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2021-0073-054
The Governor General lays a wreath at the base of the National Aboriginal Veterans Monument. Feathers are visible on the left side of the photo. In the background are trees and a small crowd of people wearing masks.

She then laid a wreath on behalf of all Canadians.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2021-0073-057
The Governor General lays a wreath at the base of the National Aboriginal Veterans Monument. Feathers are visible on the left side of the photo. In the background are trees and a small crowd of people wearing masks.

The commander-in-chief offers support and encouragement to members of the Canadian Armed Forces and to their families and loved ones, while helping Canadians recognize the military’s past and present contributions to our country.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2021-0073-058
The Governor General lays a wreath at the base of the National Aboriginal Veterans Monument.

The commander-in-chief offers support and encouragement to members of the Canadian Armed Forces and their families and loved ones, while helping Canadians recognize the military’s past and present contributions to our country.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2021-0073-060
The Governor General lays a wreath at the base of the National Aboriginal Veterans Monument. Feathers are visible on the left side of the photo.

Upon appointment, the commander-in-chief receives the Canadian Armed Forces Decoration and becomes colonel of the Regiment for the Governor General’s Foot Guards, the Governor General’s Horse Guards and the Canadian Grenadier Guards, as well as chancellor and Commander of the Order of Military Merit.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2021-0073-061
The National Aboriginal Veterans Monument. The sky is grey and it is raining.

The National Aboriginal Veterans Monument was created in 2001.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2021-0073-066
The National Aboriginal Veterans Monument. The sky is grey and it is raining.

The monument was created by Noel Lloyd Pinay of the Peepeekisis First Nation, in Saskatchewan.

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2021-0073-068
Several wreaths at the base of the National Aboriginal Veterans Monument.

The National Aboriginal Veterans Monument was unveiled on June 21, 2001, by Canada’s 26th governor general, the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson. 

  • Credit: Sgt Mathieu St-Amour, Rideau Hall
  • Reference Number: GG09-2021-0073-069

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