First Nations Vets Still Feel Slighted by Ottawa

First Nations Vets Still Feel Slighted by Ottawa

Wednesday, November 10, 2004 at 14:01

 

 

A First Nations veteran from the Beardy’s-Okemasis reserve feels Ottawa is making some headway towards compensating war veterans, but it’s still got a long way to go.

 

Hilliard Gardypie says the federal government may feel that a $20,000 compensation package for each First Nations vet is fair, but they could have done much more.

 

In 2002, a federal review panel recommended Native war veterans receive compensation packages worth as much as $120,000 each, but Ottawa offered $20,000 instead.

 

Gardypie says many of the veterans are accepting the money because they’re tired of fighting and are scared of getting nothing if they don¹t.

 

He says their service to Canada is unrecognized by many and that’s why tomorrow’s Remembrance Day ceremony at Beardy’s is so important.

 

Gardypie encourages as many people as possible to come out and watch.

 

A candle will be lit for each of the 36 Beardy’s war veterans who have since passed on.

 

The service is being held at the Beardy’s recreation centre and begins at 9:00 am.