Original story from: http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/about-us/department-officials/minister/commendation/bio/1289
The Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of Veterans Affairs, presents the
Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation to Joseph Paquette,
MNO Veterans Council President.
Since serving in uniform, many of Canada’s Veterans continue to provide outstanding service to their country, their communities and their fellow Veterans. To formally recognize the contributions of these outstanding Canadians, the Governor General authorized the creation of the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation.
The Commendation is awarded annually to individuals who have contributed in an exemplary manner to the care and well-being of Veterans or to the remembrance of the contributions, sacrifices and achievements of Veterans.
The Métis Nation of Ontario is proud to announce that MNO Veterans Council President, Joseph Paquette, was one of the recipients of this prestigious award.
Mr. Paquette served with the Lincoln and Welland Regiment and the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada. From 2008 to 2010, he was a Councilor/Veteran with the Credit River Métis Council, striving to establish good relations with local heritage organizations and Aboriginal Veterans associations.
In 2009, Mr. Paquette became the secretary of the Métis Nation of Ontario Veterans Council (MNOVC) and was instrumental in maintaining and updating the Veterans’ registry, the Métis Veterans’ Wreath and the Veterans’ Community Charter.
In 2011, he created the MNOVC’s website and currently serves as President. He also represented the Métis Nation of Ontario and the Métis National Council at a ceremony in Fort York, commemorating the War of 1812.
In October 2012, Mr. Paquette participated in a ceremony at Rideau Hall to recognize the contributions and participation of Aboriginal and Métis peoples during the War of 1812.
A member of the Aboriginal Veterans Autochtones, Mr. Paquette also continues to actively promote his Métis heritage and the contributions of his fellow Métis Veterans by participating in local, provincial and national commemorative events.
Mr. Paquette was awarded the Queens Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012 and the Lieutenant Governor’s Ontario Heritage Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2014.
On behalf of the Métis Nation of Ontario, we would like to congratulate Mr. Paquette on all of his accomplishments and to thank him for his service to our country and the Métis Nation of Ontario!