Métis Veteran and Senator Alis Kennedy (left) and Métis Veteran Shaun Redmond (right) with his Excellency, Governor General David, Johnston, at the remembrance ceremony at the Aboriginal Veterans Monument in Ottawa on National Aboriginal Day.
A number of Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) citizens and Métis veterans attended the tenth annual remembrance ceremony at the Aboriginal Veterans Monument in Ottawa on National Aboriginal Day this Tuesday. Over 200 people attended the event which was organized by the National Aboriginal Veterans Association. Among the dignitaries that attended this year was his Excellency, David Johnston, the Governor-General of Canada, as well as representatives of the Canadian government, the Métis National Council and other veteran and aboriginal organizations.
The ceremony recognized the sacrifices and contributions of Aboriginal veterans, in particular those who paid the ultimate price in the service of freedom. It was acknowledged that until recently, the significant contributions of Aboriginal service members had often not been recognized.
The ceremony included an opening prayer from Métis veteran Shaun Redmond and the MNO was well represented at the ceremony by many MNO citizens including Senator Reta Gordon, Senator and Métis veteran Alis Kennedy and Senator Lois McCallum as well as Métis veteran Joe Paquette and Ottawa Métis Council President Daniel Gilbeau.