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By Shari Narine
Sweetgrass Contributing Editor
PETAWAWA
August 11, 2016.
August 11, 2016.
Following in the footsteps of the Aboriginal soldiers who went before him was a humbling experience for Master Warrant Officer Stanley Mercredi. And that he was carrying the Eagle Staff as he walked those trenches in France in early July was a stark reminder of how far Aboriginal people have come in the Canadian Armed Forces.
“There are things you can’t put into words because there are no words to explain or express how important it was for me to say for 34 years of military, this is the one thing I could say: I actually stood in Europe for the first time with the Canadian Forces Eagle Staff, on behalf of the Aboriginal men and women of the past, present and future of the defence team and the sacrifices we actually did for the Commonwealth at that time,” said Mercredi.
Mercredi was one of five Aboriginal members to accompany a contingent of 149 Canadian Armed Forces personnel, who travelled to France, to honour the contribution of Aboriginal peoples from Canada and Newfoundland in the First World War. July 16 marked the 100th anniversary of Beaumont-Hamel and the Battle of the Somme.
According to Canadian Joint Operations Command, more than 4,000 Aboriginal people served with various Canadian units in World War I. More than 300 died in uniform and hundreds more were wounded “both in body and in mind.”
“It was very emotional to stand there and listen to the piper, the last call, Reveille, the Rouse. It was very eerie and then hearing O Canada play. It just sent shivers right up your spine,” said Mercredi, who is a member of the Mikisew Cree Nation. He became Eagle Staff Carrier earlier this year. “It was a very humbling experience.”
The Eagle Staff was prominently displayed during the parades at Beaumont-Hamel on July 1 and at Courcelette on July 2, representing an old Aboriginal tradition now incorporated into military ceremony. Among those in attendance were Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall; retired General Rick Hillier; and Canadian Veteran Affairs Minister Ken Hehr.
The Canadian Armed Forces Eagle Staff is unique, designed to represent 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.
For Mercredi, the Eagle Staff has represented a personal journey that goes beyond geography.
“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,” said Mercredi. He knew he had the best of both worlds – he “believed” in the Canadian flag and in his culture – but didn’t know how to be proud of both at the same time.
Mercredi saw the Canadian Armed Forces Eagle Staff for the first time in 2006.
“It was like the Holy Grail,” he said.
The Eagle Staff had been 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.
“From (the Eagle Staff) I was able to identify that I should be proud of my heritage, that I should not be afraid to say ‘I’m a proud Aboriginal Canadian Armed Forces soldier,’” said Mercredi.
Mercredi serves with the 2nd Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery at CFB Petawawa. He is in garrison support, managing and overseeing the administration of civilians working within a maintenance company and 2 Service Battalion.
About the Department of National Defence/Canadian Armed Forces Eagle Staff.
(Photo courtesy of Master Warrant Officer Stanley Mercredi)
A Sailor, an Airman, and Soldiers make up the Aboriginal component of 149-person contingent that went to France to represent the Canadian Armed Forces for the commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of Beaumont-Hamel and the Battle of the Somme: (from left) Leading Seaman Jessica Spence, Corporal Joseph Ogle, Corporal Frederick O’Soup, Sergeant Lance Ray and Eagle Staff Carrier, Master Warrant Officer Stanley Mercredi. (Photo: MCpl Mike Blanchard – Combat Camera)