Ladies and Gentlemen, Distinguished Guests,

As a member of the Neskonlith Band of the Secwepemc First Nation I am pleased to be a guest on the unceded traditional territory of the Squamish, Musqueam and Tsleil-Waututh Peoples for this ceremony.

I feel humbled and privileged to speak on this occasion at we which acknowledge, celebrate, and give thanks for the incredible commitment and sacrifices made by those who fought in the four months of summer and early fall 1940. The heroic actions undertaken day after day throughout the Battle of Britain determined the course of our lives as peoples and nations.

It cannot go without saying that yesterday marked the 20th anniversary a cowardly attack that took so many lives and changed our lives forever; and again, brought people together in the face of adversity.

We are also gathered to unveil a plaque that recognizes Canadian Aboriginal Veterans who served in the RCAF.

While there is no indication that any Aboriginal airmen were among the 100 or so Canadians who served with Squadron Leader Ernest McNab’s RCAF No.1 Squadron, or with the RAF 242 Squadron during the Battle of Britain; records do show that there were Aboriginal airmen who flew in combat with the RCAF elsewhere during WWII.

During WWI, WWII, and Korea a high proportion of Aboriginal men volunteered for military service primarily in the Canadian Army.

The RCAF and RCN had entrance restrictions, such as educational requirements or a preference for candidates whose ancestors were British. When war broke out an Air Force regulation barred those from commissions who were not of “pure European descent”. The RCN prerequisite for service in any rank was that an applicant “be a British born subject, of a white Race”.

The Air Force regulation was rescinded in 1943. In spite of these regulations Canadian Indians and Metis voluntarily joined and were accepted in both services from the outbreak of war. The Department of Indian Affairs records list 29 First Nations members who served in the RCAF including:

Flying Officer Willard John Bolduc, Ojibwa, Chapleau Ontario, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for service as an air gunner during 1943 bombing attacks over Europe.

Flying Officer Jack Beaver, Mississauga First Nation, flew Spitfires with 126 Wing in England, Holland, Belgium, and France. Post war he became a Professional Engineer graduating from Queen’s University and was a leader in his community President of Churchill Falls, Labrador Corporation.

Leonard Maracle, Six Nations Haudensaunee, RCAF WWII pilot, Post war he ran a construction company and served his community. He was a graduate of the UBC Law School.

Among many others postwar RCAF Aboriginal Veterans include:

Flying Officer, Ken Harris, Gitskan, pilot. Community leader.

Dr. Rosalyn Ing, Opaskwayak Cree, Fighter Control Operator, BSW, MEd, PhD. While employed at UBC Health Careers and the Native Education Centre Dr Ing’s initiatives and contributions enabled many Aboriginal students to go on to post-secondary education in the Health Professions.

Susan Tatoosh, Kamloops Secwepemc First Nation, Fighter Control Operator, Secretary of State, Public Service of Canada, Executive Director Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre.

Larry Arkell, Manitoba Metis, Anti-Submarine Weapons Officer, BA UVic Social Worker

Ron Short, Anishnabe, North Bay, community leader psychotherapist educator.

There are many others whose names I have not been able to determine and many more currently serving with land, sea, and air units. There is no doubt there are many more Aboriginal Veterans who served with the Canadian Army who were airborne qualified and parachuted from aircraft for which others of us were aircrew. 

Over recent decades Canadian Aboriginal Veterans in the Vancouver area have developed ongoing relationships with Chinese Canadian Veterans and with the Tuskegee Airmen who faced many of the same challenges when they volunteered serve their country to their full potential.

In the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, I reported to Squadron Leader Jack Young and then Wing Commander LCol Ted Jackson. RCAF Career Officers, like my father Hector they had served during WWII.  Postwar they had come up through the ranks. As my Commanding Officers they were teachers, mentors, and leaders in helping me fulfill my duties as a junior officer. I benefitted from their life experience which had afforded them a worldview that was broad, insightful, and caring. As I began to engage with my Aboriginal Secwepemc community, they offered encouragement and support me in the steps I was taking. I continue to draw upon those life lessons to this day.

 

The plaque that will be unveiled to acknowledge Canadian Aboriginal Veterans who served in the RCAF has been made possible by the initiative of Dick Dunn and the support of the RCAF Officers Association, the Battle of Britain Memorial Fund, Veterans Canada, and Chinese Canadian Veterans. The plaque has been developed within the context of contemporary Truth and Reconciliation. The experience I have had with Dick and his colleagues is reminiscent of the respectful and supportive relationship I had with my commanding officers in the RCAF decades ago and for that I am very grateful. 

The plaque is an integration of First Nations, Inuit and Metis cultural elements and symbols. I offer thanks to the Aboriginal Veterans who collaborated and were consulted in the design; and for Dick Dunn’s computer skills that rendered the design ready for the fabricators. Also, I want to thank those who assisted in placing the plaque especially our dear departed friend Cam Cathcart. The plaque is situated facing eastward where the sunrises.

In the longhouse tradition, you are all witnesses to this ceremony. The role of a witness is to tell the story of the incredible feats of those who flew in the Battle of Britain in 1940; and also to tell the story of this ceremony which acknowledges Canadian Aboriginal Veterans who served in the RCAF.

As I offer a Secwepemc Honour and a Healing Song the plaque will be unveiled by:

Aboriginal Veteran, Joy Dockrey Ward, Cree Metis, Navy, whose grandson served in the RCAF.

Aborginal Veteran Carolyn Orazietti, Mik’maq, 22 Svc Battalion.

LCol (ret’d) George Ing, whose dearly departed wife Dr. Rosalyn Ing Opaskwayak Cree, served in the RCAF.

WO (ret’d) Allen Plett, Seaforth Highlanders.

Kuk’stemc! Thank you for listening to my words.  To All My Relationships