Tag: Indigenous soldiers
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Private Michael Mathew Ackabee in the Great War
Private Michael Mathew Ackabee born 3 April 1892 at Sandy Lake, north of Dinorwic, and spent his whole life in the district except for his time with the CEF during the Great War. Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation His parents Andrew Ackabee and Mary Gilbert (Clear Sky Skaychommskook). He had at least four siblings – Elizabeth,…
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Private Joseph Daniels in the Great War
Canadian Machine Gun Corps Private Joseph Daniels, a Métis soldier, served with the 4th Canadian Machine Gun Battalion during the Battle of Amiens. Joe initially enlisted with the 194th Overseas Battalion. Following his service helps to understand the reorganizations of machine gun companies, and the creation of tank battalions in the CEF. Each infantry battalion…
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Private Abel Watetch in the Great War
Indigenous Soldiers Private Abel Watetch of Piapot Reserve, Edgeley, Saskatchewan married to Mary Francis Watetch with two children, Mary Madeline age 3, and a baby. Enlistment of Private Abel Watetch Abel Watetch 907650 enlisted on 4 April 1916 with the 195th Overseas Battalion in Regina, Saskatchewan. Standing 5′ 8″ tall with dark complexion, brown eyes,…
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Private Patrick Riel in the Great War
Private Patrick Riel the nephew of Louis Riel. No way! Another accomplished sniper of the the Canadian Corps. Way! Louis Riel Louis Riel, Métis leader, founder of Manitoba, central figure in the Red River and North-West resistances died 16 November 1885 in Regina, Saskatchewan. Riel led two Métis governments, central in bringing Manitoba into Confederation. Executed for high treason for his role…
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Private Joseph Roussin MM in the Great War
Private Joseph Roussin from Oka, Quebec attested on 16 July 1915 in Ottawa. Joe marked his attestation paper with an ‘x’. Lt Col Douglas Richmond Street of the 77th Battalion approving officer. As a Roman Catholic, Street hoped to appeal to French-Canadian volunteers when organizing the 77th. Joseph, a lumberman standing 5′ 6″ tall, 150…
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Driver Albert Mountain-Horse in the Great War
Driver Albert Mountain-Horse served as Albert M. Horse 30396 in the Great War. Perhaps the first Indigenous soldier to enlist in the CEF, certainly the first from the North West. Son of Mountain Horse, one of the best orators the Blood Reserve of Macleod, Alberta ever produced. Educated at St Paul’s Mission, also one of…
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Lance Corporal Henry Norwest MM & Bar in the Great War
There is a special place for warriors like him. He was a peculiar character. Very silent, very intent. Henry Louie served as Lance Corporal Henry Norwest MM & Bar 435684, son of Louis & Genevieve Louie, of Sacred Heart, Alberta. Born in 1884, Henry was of Métis French-Cree descent. Henry became one of the most…
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Private Joseph Standing Buffalo in the Great War
Sinte Wakana Zuzuheceda Sinte Wakana Grandson of Chief Sitting Bull Private Joseph Standing Buffalo a Sioux Dakota from Fort Qu’Appelle, Saskatchewan, son of Grand Chief Julius Standing Buffalo, and Alma, of Fort Qu’Appelle, Saskatchewan, grandson of Chief Sitting Bull. Buffalo enlisted in the Canadian Forces during the Great War and killed-in-action on 29 September 1918…
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Sapper William Canada in the Great War
Sapper William Patrin Kennedy 718455 served as William Canada with the 107th Pioneer Battalion, CEF in the Great War. An Indigenous soldier, in addition, William had four younger brothers all serving with the CEF, older brother of Jack Canada 718459, Herbert Canada 721885, Archie Canada 922773 and Andrew Canada 718842. William married to his wife,…
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Sapper Thomas Charles ‘Cogwagee’ Longboat in the Great War
Sapper Thomas Charles Cogwagee Longboat 862805, one of 3,090 Indigenous men and women serving in the Great War. Indigenous women also made great sacrifices and played significant roles working behind the battle scenes. Nursing Sister Edith Crockett Anderson Monture, a Mohawk from Six Nations, joined the Canadian Army Service Corps, employed with No. 15 Canadian…