Southern Chiefs’ Organization Honors Indigenous Veterans at Summit

The Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) hosted its annual First Nations Veterans Summit on November 5, 2023, at the Hilton Winnipeg Airport Suites in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The event aimed to honour the service and sacrifice of Indigenous veterans, providing a space for reflection and remembrance.

Program manager Justin Woodcock highlighted the dual purpose of the gathering, noting it served as a moment to “look back on the past few years of the First Nations veteran program.” He explained that many veterans approach the SCO seeking assistance with their Veterans Affairs claims, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to supporting those who have served.

In addition to administrative support, the SCO offers cultural activities designed to aid veterans in healing from service-related trauma. Woodcock mentioned that the organization conducts monthly events, including drum-making workshops and sweat lodge ceremonies, which facilitate emotional recovery. “We also do monthly encampment walks, trying to find unhoused veterans to connect them with available services,” he stated.

According to data from End Homelessness Winnipeg, veterans constitute nearly six percent of all unhoused individuals surveyed in the area. Woodcock stressed the importance of ensuring that these veterans are aware of the support available through the organization. “We need to make sure that those folks know that there are supports for them and that our program is here to lift them up,” he added.

The summit also celebrated the recent legislative progress marked by the passing of Bill 210, which permanently recognizes November 8 as Indigenous Veterans Day in Manitoba. Woodcock expressed gratitude for the collaboration involved in the bill’s development, stating, “We were consulted on the language of the bill – myself and Grand Chief Jerry Daniels of SCO, and we’re really happy that it has come to fruition and it’s been passed.”

The event was not only a tribute to veterans but also a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by many Indigenous individuals who have served. It reinforced the SCO’s ongoing commitment to advocacy and support for First Nations veterans and highlighted the need for community awareness and engagement regarding the resources available to them.

The SCO continues to play a vital role in connecting veterans to the necessary services and fostering a supportive environment for healing and remembrance. Through events like the First Nations Veterans Summit, the organization aims to ensure that the contributions of Indigenous veterans are recognized and valued within the broader community.