Spiritual Ceremony Planned For Native War Dead

Spiritual Ceremony Planned For Native War Dead

Wednesday, July 20, 2005 at 15:26

Aboriginal war veterans will be returning to old battlefields in Europe this fall to conduct a “Calling Home Ceremony” for their fallen comrades.

Aboriginal spiritual leaders will perform the traditional ceremony incorporating First Nations, Metis, and Inuit traditions and customs.

The ceremony symbolizes a return of spirits of fallen warriors to their traditional homelands, with the intent of putting them to rest with their ancestors on Canadian soil.

Twenty Aboriginal veterans and 13 Aboriginal youth — representing every region across the country — will accompany the spiritual leaders to the historic battlefields of both World Wars, including Vimy Ridge and Juno Beach.

The delegates will assemble in Ottawa in late October, and return to Canada on November 4th.

Over 500 fallen Aboriginal soldiers are known to be buried overseas.