The founding members of the National Aboriginal Veterans Association of Canada,
shown in a group photograph at the House of Commons in Ottawa.
National Aboriginal Veterans Association
The National Aboriginal Veterans Association (NAVA) was formed in 1986 to represent the interests of Aboriginal veterans, and heighten public awareness of the outstanding contributions that Aboriginal veterans made to preserve the freedom of all Canadians.
Contact the NAVA at:
c/o Claude Petit, 32 Moore Place, Saskatoon, SK S7L 3Z2
Tel: (306) 384-0565 Fax: (306) 382 -6587
Aboriginal and First Nations Veterans National Monument
The Aboriginal and First Nations Veterans monument is the result of the hard work and perseverance of the National Aboriginal Veterans Association (NAVA) and Senator Nick Taylor. The work of artist Lloyd Pinay, the monument is reflective of all Aboriginal Peoples in Canada, First Nations, Métis and Inuit.
Canadian Native veterans have reason to be proud of their wartime contributions. More than 7,000 Indians served in the First and Second World Wars and the Korean War, and an unknown number of Inuit, Métis and other Natives also participated. One Native veterans group estimates that 12,000 Natives served in the three wars. On each occasion, Canada's Native soldiers overcame cultural challenges and made impressive sacrifices and contributions to help the nation in its efforts to restore world peace. It was an incredible response - consistent with a remarkable tradition.
