Mi’kmaw Community Honors Veterans with Emotional Remembrance Day Tribute

UPDATE: The Mi’kmaw community of Eel River Bar in northern New Brunswick is paying heartfelt tribute to its veterans this Remembrance Day, with ceremonies that honor both history and family legacies. November 11, 2023, marks a significant day as community members gather to remember the sacrifices made by their ancestors in the Second World War and beyond.

Seventeen-year-old Arianna Gauvin Sanders is a driving force behind this year’s commemorative events. She has dedicated herself to understanding and sharing her community’s military history, including the stories of her great-grandparents, Michael and Margaret (Pictou) Labillois. “I wanted to learn more about the significance of everything they’ve done,” Arianna shared, emphasizing her connection to her family’s legacy.

Last year, through a high school program with North Shore Legacy, Arianna researched Indigenous veterans and discovered the stark contrast in documentation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous soldiers. “It struck me how much history is missing,” she noted, highlighting the need for recognition.

Arianna’s commitment culminated in a transformative trip to Normandy in 2024, where she retraced the steps of the soldiers who landed on Juno Beach. During the ceremony, she performed the Mi’kmaw honour song and laid tobacco ties on the graves of Indigenous soldiers. “It was a powerful moment to connect with our history,” she said.

The community’s Remembrance Day display features 33 banners honoring Mi’kmaw veterans. Each year, Arianna looks for her great-grandparents’ banners among them. “I feel a sense of pride,” she expressed. “I am just happy seeing them get their recognition, too.”

Former chief Jake Caplin also participates in the ceremony, proudly hanging a banner for his great-grandfather, Joseph Simonson, who served in both World Wars. “I always feel that connection with him,” Caplin stated. He was inspired to organize the banners after seeing a similar initiative in Presque Isle, Maine.

Caplin noted that many members of the Eel River Bar community enlisted, with some joining the U.S. military. “They wanted to fight for their country, despite the challenges they faced,” he said, reflecting on the complex relationship between Indigenous soldiers and the Canadian government.

The emotional weight of this history is not lost on families. Colleen Gauvin, Arianna’s grandmother, shares her granddaughter’s pride while searching for her parents’ banners. She recalls how her mother, Margaret, joined the Royal Canadian Air Force during the war, motivated by the chance to support her family financially. Margaret became a trailblazer, later earning the Order of Canada and the Order of New Brunswick for her contributions to the Mi’kmaw community.

Colleen recalls the sacrifices made by her father, Michael Labillois, a residential school survivor who served in the Service Corps Transport across Europe during the war. “He went from one hell to another,” she reflected, emphasizing the resilience of their family.

As the community honors its veterans, it also confronts the historical injustices faced by Indigenous soldiers, many of whom were not recognized as Canadian citizens yet bravely fought for their country. Arianna’s dedication to preserving this legacy is a testament to the spirit of Eel River Bar.

As Remembrance Day events unfold, the emotional ties to history grow stronger, with community members uniting to ensure that the sacrifices of their veterans are not forgotten. The banners lining the streets serve as a poignant reminder of the pride and legacy within this tight-knit community.

With the ceremonies taking place today, the impact of this remembrance will resonate throughout the community as they reflect on their past, honor their veterans, and ensure their stories continue to be told.