Submitted by: Jerry Clarke, Clear Waters Métis Council President
Métis Veteran, Lorna Burke is presented with the
Louis Riel Certificate, the Louis Riel Medal, and
the Batoche Medal. (L-R) Chief Warrant Officer
Paul Elliott CD, Honourary guest, Métis Veteran
Lorna Burke, Lieutenant Colonel Chris Marvin
CD and Sergeant Ray Starks CD.
The Métis people were brought together on Saturday, March 22, 2014 at the Annual General Meeting of the newly named Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) Clear Waters Métis Council (CWMC) to celebrate their rich heritage and to acknowledge the milestones of family, friends and the Nation. The MNO CWMC and the MNO Veterans’ Council coordinated this extraordinary event.
It was a joint effort and privilege by all to honour Métis veteran Lorna Burke. Burke comes from a long line of military men and women, dating as far back as the Northwest Resistance at Duck Lake and the battle of Cut Knife Hill where her Uncles James and Charles took up arms with Louis Riel and Gabriel Dumont to defend the Métis Nation.
Burke and her two sisters joined the Navy and Naval Reserve during the late 1960’s. Burke served at the Canadian Forces Base in Halifax, and ended her 12-year naval career at Hamilton HMCS Star in Hamilton, Ontario.
At this celebration, Burke was presented with the Louis Riel Certificate, which indicates that the MNO Veterans’ Council has confirmed she is a Métis veteran. She was also honoured with the Louis Riel Medal, which is given to Métis Veterans for their dedicated service to their peers, community and the Métis Nation. Burke also received the Batoche Medal.
Peace and freedom would not be possible without the willing sacrifice of our men and women who have answered the call to service. A great deal of thanks and appreciation were extended to all of our Métis Veterans, both those still with us and those who have passed on.