Remembrance Day at Saugeen First Nations

        

                 Memories
It was a typical November Remembrance day, crisp and cold with a raw wind but, for one of the first times, no rain.

Many gathered at the Saugeen First Nations cenotaph to honour those aboriginal soldiers who served in WWI, WWII, the Korean War Vietnam war, Gulf War and Afghanistan.

Former Chief, Vernon Root, explained that, just as the Navajo people had acted as 'coders' during the war, so too, had many of the Ojibway soldiers.   "They spoke our own language so that the enemy could not decipher what we, the allies, were saying." 

Chief Randall Kaghee said that he was very pleased to see so many, including young people, turn out to honour those who had served from the First Nations people in wartime.  Warren John, former head of the Saugeen Police Service and a U.S. Marine, also expressed his appreciation to those who attended.

(L) Reverend Maggie MacLeod, Pastor Philip Ritchie & Chief Randall Kaghee (B

The Revered Maggie MacLeod, minister of Wesley United Church at Saugeen First Nation, read a passage from the bible and Pastor Philip Ritchie sang a hymn and the 'Battlehymn of the Republic', in honour of those aboriginals who had served in United States Forces, while the Saugeen Women Drummers added their special meaning to the ceremony.

The simple service was followed at the Mason Centre by a gathering of the people over lunch.

(next column)

13/01/2009 04:23 PM

(continued)

Teaching the young to remember

The Women Drummers

Many nations took part ...

(L) Warren John, formerly of the U.S. Marines and Chief Randall Kaghee

 

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