Honoring Indigenous Veterans at Sunnybrook: A Ceremony of Remembrance and Resilience
On November 8, 2024, Sunnybrook hosted a meaningful ceremony in honour of Indigenous Veterans Day. The event brought together Indigenous leaders, veterans and the Sunnybrook community to pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of Indigenous veterans throughout Canada's history. The ceremony will also feature a rededication and teaching about the Inuksuk which stands at the entrance to the Veterans Centre.
The ceremony began with a smudging ceremony led by Leonard Benoit Indigenous patient navigator, followed by teachings on the Inuksuk by Inuk Elder Naulaq Ledrew. She taught of the many meanings of the Inuksuk in Inuit culture. “It was our direction. It would tell us to go that way for plenty, where to hunt. Or to an area that was a good place to go fishing,” Ledrew shared.
Elder Ledrew also lit a qulliq, an oil lamp traditionally used by Inuit using animal fats and Arctic cotton as the wick. The Inuksuk has stood at the Veterans Centre for decades. Elder Ledrew’s teachings will bring new meaning to this familiar symbol, transforming it into a reminder of Indigenous resilience and the sacrifices made by Indigenous veterans.
Joanna Diindiisikwe Simmons, Special Project Coordinator with Sunnybrook’s Pregnancy and Infant Loss (PAIL) program, played a significant role in the event. She has dedicated herself to providing resources to families affected by pregnancy and infant loss, with a special focus on Indigenous communities. Simmons honoured her grandfather, a WWII anti-tank gunner, by singing a traditional Ojibway Veterans Song that expresses gratitude to Indigenous warriors. She explains that singing this song “is a way to honour not only my grandfather but all Indigenous veterans who have given so much for our freedom.”
Simmons also presented handmade beaded poppies to Indigenous veterans in attendance. These poppies, carefully crafted with traditional Indigenous artistry, carry a deep symbolic meaning, as Simmons notes: “They serve as a reminder of the sacrifices that Indigenous veterans have made, often without the recognition they deserved.”
The service also featured reflections from Sunnybrook’s Fire Prevention Coordinator & Heliport Manager and Master Corporal (retired) Jeremy Bullen, who spoke on the historical contributions of Indigenous soldiers. Jeremy himself served in multiple overseas deployments and domestic operations during his 18 years in the Canadian Armed Forces. Bullen highlighted the unique challenges faced by Indigenous veterans, from being sidelined upon their return to Canada to having their sacrifices overlooked. He reminded attendees of the estimated 12,000 Indigenous people who served in major conflicts like the World Wars and the Korean War. These men and women were known not only for their bravery but also for their specialized skills as scouts, soldiers, and code talkers who used Indigenous languages to protect military communications.
The ceremony is a reminder of the longstanding and complex relationship between Indigenous communities and Canada’s military history. Many Indigenous soldiers fought to defend Canada, despite facing systemic discrimination. As Simmons explains, “Indigenous people have always been involved in the wars of Canada, giving so much for the freedom of others, even though they were treated as second-class citizens upon their return.”
Simmons’s grandfather, who served in the 56th Battalion during WWII, is a significant figure in her life. She shares vivid stories of his resilience and bravery, from narrowly escaping enemy forces to enduring the trauma of night terrors well into his 80s. For her, this ceremony is deeply personal: “My grandfather was the only father figure in my life. Honoring him in this way allows me to keep his memory alive and to share his legacy with others.”
Through ceremonies like this, Sunnybrook hopes to foster a greater appreciation of the legacy of Indigenous service members and to continue honouring them with respect and gratitude.
