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France, Sunday, October 30, 2005
The Inuksuk, in Inuit culture, is a guide. This stone figure bears lasting witness that humans have passed through a place. It is a signpost in space, sometimes marking a spot that summons us to reverence and contemplation.
Peter Irniq who built this Inuksuk, and who soon will speak to you, added a window to the uppermost stone. A window opening on the unknown that awaited those who fell here. And also a window to hope and the remembrance of their heroic deeds, which led an entire people to liberation. A window that looks across the vast ocean between France and Canada, who fought side by side and shoulder to shoulder against tyranny.
For me, this monument has great symbolic importance. I am pleased to see it erected close to the Centre at Juno Beach, the very spot where Canadian soldiers landed on the beaches of Normandy on June 6th, 1944. It is a stirring and very necessary reminder of the vital part played by Aboriginal peoples in restoring freedom.
This freedom was dearly bought by the efforts, courage and generosity of our veterans, a number of whom were from First Nations, Inuit and Métis people. We have with us today several courageous men who landed here at Juno Beach and in the days following: Peter Willier, Leo Goulet, George Horse, Howard Anderson, Robert Bruce, Alexander Julien, Dasia Nebenionquit, Elmer Sinclair, Vic Letendre. In this Year of the Veteran, I am so proud and so moved to be with you for the unveiling of this Inuksuk, which will forever commemorate the sacrifices of women and men who changed the course of history. And I am also happy that young people are witnessing this solemn and historic moment.
With the aid of many Canadian soldiers, France recovered the freedom that it enjoys today. And this monument in stone will forever tell of the Aboriginal contribution by First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities to the reconquest.
May the spirit of the Inuksuk go with you throughout this journey that you are making to the battlefields of France and Belgium. And may it guide us toward a world in which the values of openness, tolerance, respect and fellowship triumph.
Thank you.