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By Shari Narine
Sweetgrass Contributing Editor
PETAWAWA
August 17, 2016.
Master Warrant Officer Stanley Mercredi says that since he joined the Canadian Armed Forces 34 years ago, life in the military has improved “10-fold” for Aboriginal people.
“There are still things to be done. But I think if you look at 100 years ago when we were back then … just called Indians. If you look back then we didn’t really have an identity,” said Mercredi. “As the years evolved with human rights and reconciliation with residential school and all this stuff, they knew there was a bigger issue and the issue we want to sound off on (is): we have an identity. We are a very proud First Nations people and we want to make sure when we’re actually saying, ‘I am this,’ it’s met with a resounding open heart, that I’m proud of who I am.”
Part of that pride Mercredi has in who he is, in his culture and in his heritage is embodied in the Department of National Defence/Canadian Armed Forces Eagle Staff. Mercredi became the proud keeper and carrier of the staff this past March.
The Eagle Staff was conceived in 2002 by now-retired Chief Petty Officer Debbie Eisan and also now-retired Petty Officer 2 Chris Innis, both of whom are Ojibway, as a symbol to unite Aboriginal members. The unique design of the Staff represents Aboriginal warrior heritage and the military legacy of Canada’s First Peoples. It symbolizes “Many Peoples, One Nation” with a Metis sash, a narwhal tusk and First Nations ash bow.
In July, Mercredi was one of five Aboriginal members to accompany a contingent of 149 Canadian Armed Forces personnel to France, to honour the contribution of Aboriginal peoples from Canada and Newfoundland in the First World War.
“The blackened hand on the bow (of the Eagle Staff) is the people that have come before us. So when I hold that I’m holding the past for the present for the future. It’s mindboggling,” he said.
It was the first time the Eagle Staff had left Canada.
“When I was over in France carrying this things it was very humbling,” he said. “I had the honour, with 34 years in the military as an Aboriginal member, to represent the past and walk in the sacred grounds of our people who actually died on behalf of Canada.”
Mercredi is a member of the Mikisew Cree Nation. He traveled in his youth, growing up in Inuvik, Yellowknife, and eventually being raised by his grandmother in Fort Smith, NWT.
In the six months Mercredi has been Eagle Staff carrier he has attended Aboriginal program events in St. Jean, Ottawa, Kingston, Borden, and Petawawa. That those Aboriginal programs exist is another example of how far Indigenous people have come in the military.
Several programs across Canada happen every year.
In Alberta, the base in Wainwright offers Bold Eagle, which is an unique summer employment program that combines Aboriginal culture and teachings with military training.
Other programs across the country include the Raven program, in the Pacific, which is navy-based; Black Bear, in Gagetown; the Canadian Armed Forces Aboriginal entry program, in a variety of locations; and the Aboriginal Leadership Opportunity Year, in Kingston, which allows Aboriginal members to consider becoming officers.
The various programs are between three to seven weeks and provide the fundamentals of being a soldier. Mentors are on-site at all the programs offering spiritual advice, the opportunity to talk about Aboriginal issues, and providing a connection to the participant’s heritage or culture.
“Military isn’t meant for everybody but keeping that door open … gives everybody a fair shake, is so important. And the majority of these programs, a lot (of Aboriginal people) are joining the Canadian Armed Forces,” said Mercredi.
According to National Defence figures from June 2015, there are approximately 2,294 Aboriginal members currently serving in the CAF regular force and primary reserve force combined.
It also helps, says Mercredi, that there are Aboriginal recruitment officers.
“If we’re going to represent one of the minority groups in the Canadian Armed Forces, then one of the people in the front should be an Aboriginal member so that (Aboriginal people) can associate the two: here I was a civilian before but now I’m a proud Aboriginal member of the Canadian Armed Forces. So that plays a key factor,” he said.
Times have changed and keep changing, Mercredi observes.
“When I joined the military in 1982, it was a very confusing time to be an Aboriginal member in the military because we didn’t have the rights we had today,” he said.
But now, on the strength of the Eagle Staff, more Indigenous people serving, and more programs aimed at making the Canadian Armed Forces available to Indigenous people, Mercredi is able to believe in both the Canadian flag and in his culture.
“I’m a proud Aboriginal Canadian Armed Forces soldier,” said Mercredi.
Master Warrant Officer Stanley Mercredi, a member of the Mikisew Cree Nation, is the carrier of the Department of National Defence/Canadian Armed Forces Eagle Staff. (Photo: Capt. Thomas Edelson, Canadian Armed Forces)