1. Canada & World War I: Aboriginal Involvement

2. World War 1 started on July 28, 1914 and would last until November 11, 1918. When Britain declared war on Germany, Canada was automatically at war, along with the rest of the British Empire. CANADA 1914

3. Became a country in 1867 but was still a dominion of Great Britain. Britain still controlled Canada’s foreign policy. CANADA 1914

5. The two major alliance systems were created before the Great War: The Triple Entente/The Allies The Triple Alliance/The Central Powers CANADA 1914

6. The Triple Entente/The Allies = France, Britain and Russian (would leave in 1917 because of a revolution and the USA take her place). CANADA 1914

7. The Triple Alliance/The Central Powers = Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy (would leave immediately when the war began in 1914 and the Ottoman Empire (Turkey) would step in). CANADA 1914

9. The MAIN causes of WWI were: MILITARISM ALLIANCES IMPERIALISM NATIONALISM MAIN CAUSES

10. Those Canadian’s of British origins/English- speaking decent were enthusiastic, ready to help. Francophone (French- speaking, Canadiens) population and the Maritime provinces were far less interested. TO WAR! The initial responses to Canada’s involvement in the war varied:

11. The white officers had the mentality that this was a “white man’s war”. They were in charge of choosing who was allowed in, therefore many non-whites were not allowed into the Canadian militia (rampant deep- rooted racism). WHITE MAN’S WAR

12. They stated, “We don’t want a checker board Army” = they did not think that white soldiers wanted to fight along non-white soldiers. This did not prevent minority groups from serving Canada in WWI. WHITE MAN’S WAR

13. Women and the Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Black and Aboriginal Canadians volunteered their services to the Canadian Expeditionary Force, with the hopes of proving their loyalty to Canada and gaining full citizenship. They served as snipers, scouts, nurses, frontline military officers, couriers, and privates. WE WILL SERVE!

14. The war proved that the fighting spirit of my tribe was not squelched through reservation life. When duty called, we were there, and when we were called forth to fight for the cause of civilization, our people owed all the bravery of our warriors of old. ~ Mike Mountain Horse, First World War Veteran ABORIGINAL PARTICIPATION

16. Canadian Aboriginals left their homes and families to help fight an international war that raged in European battlefields. Despite the fact that they had no rights as Canadian citizens. CALL TO SERVICE

17. The Canadian government only counted Status Indian who volunteered so there exist no accurate records. Veteran Affairs Canada estimates that 1 in 3 able- bodies First Nations men who were of age enlisted. CALL TO SERVICE

18. Approximately 4,000 Status Indians and as many Non-Status and Metis people served in WW1. First Nations women, like other Canadian women, contributed to the war effort through nursing, charitable societies, and working in the munitions factories. CALL TO SERVICE

19. Although First Nations were eventually let in for service, they were often not promoted within the ranks. Nonetheless, many stood out. CALL TO SERVICE

20. Over the course of the war, First Nations men participated and earned medals in almost every major land battle. At least 300 of them died and more became ill with tuberculosis, PTSD, and the Spanish Flu that devastated all returning soldiers and hit First Nation communities particularly hard. CALL TO SERVICE

21. The Spanish Influenza began in the trenches at the end of the war in 1918 and was brought home with returning soldiers. It was a unusually deadly flu pandemic that killed 50 to 100 million people (three to five percent of the world's population) making it one of the deadliest natural disasters in human history. CALL TO SERVICE

22. TOM LONGBOAT (COGWAGEE) Was an Onondaga from the Six Nations Reserve in Brantford, Ontario was an athlete/Boston Marathon runner – became a courier in WWI. PROMINENT ABORIGINALS

23. CAMERON BRANT The 28 year old received a lieutenant’s commission at Valcartier, Quebec while assigned to the 4th Infantry Battalion; shipped out for Europe on October 3, 1914, as part of the first Canadian contingent to go overseas. He was killed near Ypres, Belgium while his platoon was in a counterattack. PROMINENT ABORIGINALS

24. FRANCIS PEGAHMAGABOW Ojibway First Nation soldier most highly decorated for bravery in Canadian military history and the most effective sniper of WWI. Three times awarded the Military Medal and seriously wounded, he was an expert marksman and scout, credited with killing 378 Germans and capturing 300 more. PROMINENT ABORIGINALS

25. The book by Joseph Boyden, Three Day Road, is based on Pegahmagabow’s experiences in the First World War. THREE-DAY ROAD

26. WE REMEMBER Francis Pegahmagabow: Canadian War Hero (CBC) 8:48 minutes http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/TV+Shows/T he+National/Canada/ID/2418145324/

27. HENRY LOUIS NORWEST One of the most famous Canadian snipers in the First World War; born in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, of French-Cree ancestry; in his nearly three years of service with the 50th Canadian Infantry Battalion, the lance-corporal achieved a confirmed kill record of 115. Norwest is one of only about 830 members of the CEF to be awarded the Military Medal and bar. PROMINENT ABORIGINALS

28. EDITH ANDERSON In 1917, 27-year-old Anderson from Six Nations Grand River Reserve, joined the U.S. Medical Corps. Within months, they were in Vittel, France, at Buffalo Base Hospital 23, formerly a resort hotel. Anderson spent most of her time at the hospital, treating soldiers who had been shot or gassed. Occasionally, she was sent to other medical centres to help. PROMINENT ABORIGINALS

29. Tom Longboat Cameron Brant Francis Pegahmagabow Henry Louis Norwest Edith Anderson

30. POST-WWI Over 50 Aboriginal soldiers were decorated for bravery after the war. And historical records indicate that Canada could claim eight of the top dozen snipers from all countries involved in the fighting; of those eight, at least five and probably six are Aboriginal of some sort.

31. POST-WWI While Aboriginal soldiers enjoyed more freedoms abroad than they did in Canada, things returned to the status quo once back at home; they continued to face prejudice and discrimination.

32. POST-WWI The federal government extended many postwar benefits to First Nations veterans, but not as many as those given to other vets. And all the sacrifices and achievements on the battlefield did not result in greater freedoms or rights, such as the vote, for First Nations.

33. UNMARKED GRAVES 2011 = Unmarked graves of Aboriginal soldiers on Saskatchewan reserves discovered. The Government of Canada is providing $25,000 to help identify and mark these graves. Will provide the honour and respect these soldier deserve.

34. WE REMEMBER We, your sons and daughters of today, remember you, spirits of past wars and battles. We stand for peace on this planet called Mother Earth.... We are armed not with the terrible weapons of technology but with the wisdom of the Elders. We have not forgotten, we will not forget. We will live for our children and the future. ~AMMSA

35. WE REMEMBER Canada’s Aboriginal communities have been forming veterans’ organizations and recording their wartime experiences in newsletters, books and films. The sacrifices and achievements of those who participated must never be forgotten.

36. WE REMEMBER First Nations in WW1 3:30 minutes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1kJ0KG- Fq8