Submitted by: Dr. Alis Kennedy, O.Ont., C.D., O.M.C., MNO Veterans’ Council Senator
Joe Paquette (left), MNO Veterans’ Council President, and
Shelly Claus (right), MNO Veterans’ Council Women’s
Representative, hold the Defence of Canada 1812-1815
banner at the Warriors’ Day Parade. Click here to view a
larger version of the picture.
On August 20, 2016, for the first time in 95 years, the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) Veterans’ Council had a recognized contingent in the Warriors’ Day Parade (WDP) at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto.
The MNO Veterans’ Council were very excited to participate in the parade, as the MNO Annual General Assembly usually takes place on the same weekend. However they ran into a slight problem, as in order to march in the parade as a contingent, a minimum of five members must be present and the MNO Veterans’ Council unfortunately only had three MNO veterans available that weekend.
Thankfully, the President of the WDP Council, Mark Stephens, C.D., waived the minimum member requirement and allowed MNO Veterans’ Council citizens—Joe Paquette, President; Shelly Claus, Women’s Representative; and, Dr. Alis Kennedy, O.Ont., C.D., O.M.C., Senator and a member of the WDP Council, to march in the parade. The WDP marked the first time the MNO Veterans’ Council were ever publicly acknowledged as a bona fide contingent.
The MNO Veterans’ Council proudly marched in the Honour section of the parade while carrying the MNO 1812 banner, an Eagle staff and the National Métis flag. The Council stood out by their buckskin vest, ribbon dress and ribbon shirt. The WDP was also the first time that the MNO 1812 banner and the National Métis flag were flown in a public event involving the MNO Veterans’ Council.
The parade was very well attended and included the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, O.C., O.Ont., Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and Honorary Patron of The WDP Council as well as Vice-Admiral Mark Norman, M.A.G., C.M.M., C.D., Vice Chief of the Defence Staff as the 2016 Warrior’s Day Parade Reviewing Officer.
Published on: September 21, 2016