More than words: Military-Indigenous reconciliation event aims to build bridges between past and future

Bagpipes and traditional Indigenous drums played as one Saturday morning at the Canadian Forces Base in Winnipeg for the first Indigenous Reconciliation Gathering.

Ahead of National Indigenous Peoples Day Sunday, the Canadian Armed Forces hosted a full day of programming focused on bridging the gap between the military and Indigenous communities.

“What we really want to do is we want to move away from words,” said Lt. Col. Josh Van Tine. “There’s a lot of talk about reconciliation, but actions are harder to find, and we want to move beyond words and move to actions. We hope that people see we’re serious about it.”

The event is based on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 57th call to action, which is to provide education to public servants on the history of Indigenous people.

The event had several booths with volunteers on hand to talk about the different arms of the military, but also had a sweat lodge and Metis dancers performing. More than 200 volunteers from the military, Southern Chiefs Organization and Manitoba Metis Federation helped out at Saturday’s event.

Delegates from the federal, provincial and municipal governments, as well as the Southern Chiefs Organization, Manitoba Metis Federation and Manitoba Inuit Association attended the morning ceremony.

Lt. Gov. Anita Neville called Saturday’s event an opportunity to build bridges between the past and future.

“Today is indeed a day to recognize some of those bridges, the long-standing relationships between the Canadian Forces and Indigenous communities working alongside one another in partnership,” she said. “Gatherings such as this play an essential role as we work to hear truths and to advance understanding, opportunity, and healing for each and every one of us.”

The event was two years in the making, according to Justin Woodcock, a program manager at Southern Chiefs Organization. The inaugural event was supposed to happen last year, but was postponed due to record high evacuations from northern communities owing to wildfires.

Woodcock said the free day of programming offers a space to connect with others and hear their stories with a shared goal for the future.

“And what a unique opportunity to hear the stories from Indigenous veterans that have served and currently serving members as well,” he said.

Indigenous Veterans Day is observed annually on Nov. 8. The day was officially recognized for the first time in 2025.

The day could become an annual event, depending on this year’s success.

Having an understanding of Indigenous issues and recognizing Indigenous military members can make for better soldiers, Woodcock said.

“I served nearly a decade in the Canadian Armed Forces, and I would have loved to have a sweat lodge on the base when I served … they’re leading the charge on supporting Indigenous culture,” he said.

Van Tine agrees. He said Saturday’s event was just as much for attendees as it was for military members working the event. He encouraged the volunteers to take breaks and attend programming where they could.

“When we were briefing all of our volunteers, I said, ‘this is your opportunity, if you’re serious about reconciliation, this is how you can do something,’” he said.

nicole.buffie@freepress.mb.ca