National Aboriginal Veterans Monument
Article by David Joseph Gallant Published Online February 19, 2021
The National Aboriginal Veterans Monument was unveiled in 2001 in Ottawa to commemorate the contributions made by Indigenous peoples in Canada during the First World War, Second World War and Korean War. The monument, a bronze statue with a granite base, was created by Indigenous artist Noel Lloyd Pinay of the Peepeekisis First Nation in Saskatchewan. It is situated in Confederation Park, directly across from the Lord Elgin Hotel. It is the first monument dedicated to Indigenous veterans in Canada. Creation and Development The National Aboriginal Veterans Monument was created by sculptor and painter Noel Lloyd Pinay of Peepeekisis First Nation in Saskatchewan. Pinay is of
Plains Ojibwe, Plains Cree and Sioux (Dakota) origins. He was commissioned by the National Aboriginal Veterans Association (now known as the Canadian Aboriginal Veterans and Serving Members Association) to create a bronze statue commemorating the sacrifices and valor of Indigenous peoples in Canada’s war efforts in the First World War, Second World War, Korean War and subsequent peacekeeping missions. (See also Indigenous Peoples and the World Wars.)
by his father and other Indigenous veterans of Canada’s wars: “The monument is for my dad and other native vets who were stuffed into obscurity. Even though they had done outstanding things, they seem to have been ignored.… I consider that to be a major injustice.” Pinay, with the guidance of Indigenous elders, wanted to express the role that First Nations, Métis and Inuit played in “defending the country and defending freedom” in the 20th century and beyond.
Pinay, an experienced caster Pinay was inspired by the of bronze statuary, built the 6 military service and heroism m bronze and granite monuof his father, Noel Joseph ment in several pieces in his Pinay, a paratrooper in the Prairie workshop. He Canadian army during the shipped it by rail to OttaSecond World War. He also wa for its assembly and offisought to bring attention to cial unveiling on 21 June the forgotten sacrifices made 2001, National Aboriginal
Day (now National Indigenous Peoples Day). Meaning and Symbolism Artist Noel Lloyd Pinay created the monument using traditional symbols and values important to his Indigenous culture. For instance, the number four is prominent in the statue, representing four seasons, four directions and four stages of life. Also, four animal spirits are captured in the monument — a bear, wolf, buffalo and elk — representing traditional Indigenous animal “spirit guides.” Pinay believes that the golden eagle in the sculpture represents “the messenger between the Creator and man,” while all four animal spirits guide warriors in their pursuit of victory on the battlefield. The golden eagle also represents the thunderbird, a tra-
