ʔat hu wiⱡiⱡwinataⱡa’ni kwanaqnaniyikȼaⱡka. – {Ktunaxa Veterans, you are always in our hearts.}

Sunday, November 8 is National Indigenous Veterans Day in Canada.

The below list represents members from several generations of Ktunaxa / Ksanka (Kootenay, Kootenai, Flatbow) who served in the armed forces of Canada and the United States.

Did you know that Ktunaxa had one of the highest numbers of enlisted members per capita, in relation to other Nations, in Canadian forces in the 1940s and ‘50s?

By honouring Ktunaxa veterans, we acknowledge their sacrifices, help ensure their long-overlooked bravery is remembered, and celebrate their role in defending freedom.

This day was established in 1994 (and observed at that time as “National Aboriginal Veterans Day”) to honour veterans who were, at that time in history, not included in the November 11 ceremonies.

It wasn’t until 1995 that Indigenous veterans were formally permitted to lay a wreath at the National War Memorial in Ottawa.

Thank you to Ktunaxa / Ksanka (Kootenay, Kootenai, Flatbow) veterans and service members.

Learn more.

Ktunaxa Nation

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