The Indigenous Veterans Initiative was launched in March of 2019 in response to the publication by researcher Yann Castlenot of a list of names of 18,000 Indigenous Veterans from across Canada.

Using the list as a starting point, the purpose of the Initiative is to contact researchers from Indigenous communities across Canada to enlist their assistance in finding and identifying potential unmarked gravesites (UMG) of Indigenous Veterans. Given the sheer number of names provided, and the vast geographical territory covered, the challenge is great.

We are very pleased to provide an update on the progress of the Initiative since its launch and to recognize its achievements.

Achievements of the IVI since March 2019

• UMG Cases approved / tombstones ordered to date: 74
• UMG Cases submitted to date: 175
• Requests for traditional names in 6 distinct Indigenous languages received: Inuktitut, Algonquin, Interior Salishan, Saulteaux, Blackfoot, Cree
• 2500+ Veteran’s names researched
• 23 Indigenous community researchers established across Canada
• Special Métis Veterans UMG project with an Alberta Legion member

We sincerely thank everyone involved, particularly our devoted researchers and volunteers, without whom these successes would not have been possible.

Interested learning more, or in volunteering for the Indigenous Veterans Initiative? Please contact Indigenous Project Coordinator Maria Trujillo at 1-800-465-7113 extension 222, email: mtrujillo@lastpost.ca