From Tecumseh in 1812; to Edith Anderson and Henry Louis Norwest in World War I; and Tommy Prince in World War II and Korea; Aboriginal people in Canada have made invaluable contributions to the freedom and democracy of this country.

Aboriginal people's participation in Canada's wars was proportionately higher than any other group in Canada, and their dedication to protecting this land was unsurpassed.

William Semice walked more than 500 miles, from Lake St. Joseph to Port Arthur to enlist in the services; John Campbell walked and canoed 3000 miles to enlist in the Canadian Expeditionary Force at Vancouver…determined to fight for the rights and freedoms of a country that had yet to address their rights and freedoms as Aboriginal people.

The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples salutes our Aboriginal Veterans and their families, for their great actions, honouring themselves and generations to come - and to all the Veterans in Canada, who fought to make a safer world for all our children, and children's children, we would like to say Meegwetch, Welal'in, merci, and thank you.