Peacekeepers Day
August 9 in Peacekeepers Park in Angus, ON
National Peacekeeper’s Day serves as an annual reminder of the sacrifices made by Canadian Veterans and Peacekeepers. Representatives from the Canadian Association of Veterans in United Nations Peacekeepers (CAVUNP) in collaboration with the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) Barrie South-Simcoe Métis Council (BSSMC) organized a ceremony highlighting the contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peacekeepers on August 9, 2020 at Peacekeeper’s Park in Angus, ON.
In attendance were MNO President Margaret Froh, BSSMC President Roxanne Shank, BSSMC Chair Tony Muscat, MNO Veterans’ Council (MNOVC) members Doug Woods and Lisa Tessier; and past MNOVC member Paul Pirie. Friends, families and other well-wishers were also present at the socially-distanced event.
MNOVC Women’s Representative Lisa Tessier received special recognition and was gifted a Quilt of Valour in recognition for her service to Canada.
“This was my first time attending the Peacekeepers ceremony,” said Tessier. “I was very touched that we had so many Métis in attendance. It was a great way to celebrate the service of past and present service members. I will be marking my calendar to include future ceremonies at Peacekeepers Park.”
Peacekeepers Park opened in 2011 and features a “Wall of Honour” for Canadian Peacekeepers who made the ultimate sacrifice as well as the names of all of Canadian soldiers killed in the Afghanistan conflict. A new project is currently underway at the park to commemorate Indigenous Veterans at the park.
“Part of our project is to commemorate and honor all of the First Nations, Inuit and Métis soldiers who served on a peacekeeping mission and made the ultimate sacrifice,” said Fern Taillefer, President of the CAVUNP’s Central Ontario chapter. “In order to do that we have reserved a special part of our park so that we can erect a memorial.”
The MNO extends its gratitude and appreciation to those recognized in the special Peacekeepers Day ceremony and to those organizers who made the event possible.
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| MNO President Margaret Froh and MNOVC Women’s Representative Lisa Tessier | MNOVC Sergeant at Arms Doug Woods, MNOVC Women’s Representative Lisa Tessier and past-MNOVC member Paul Pirie |
Posted: August 25, 2020