The Great War, The First World War, or simply World War I, was the war that was presumed to end all wars. The first large war of the 20th century which lasted four years, began on July 28, 1914 and ended on November 11, 1918. The war was provoked by the death of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, as his assassination in Sarajevo accelerated Austria-Hungary’s declaration of war against Serbia. During the First World War, thousands of Aboriginal men voluntarily enlisted in Canada’s armed forces. Through contribution to the war effort, home front and post war efforts, during World War I, the battle for Indigenous rights was influenced by natives.
Although people of aboriginal ancestry died while fighting in The Great War, their histories remain unknown. …show more content…
The women looked after homes and communities, raised the children and tended to their homeland farms while husbands and sons were off at war. On November 5th, 1914, three months after Britain had declared war on Germany, two women living in Ontario visited the six nations Grand River Reserve, to discover a Women’s League which provided for soldiers who enlisted. “We are doing this because we have taken a great interest for some time in the Six Nation Indians and this is an opportune time for the women to uphold the tradition of their Nation”, remarked Sarah Glassford and Amy J. Shaw in A Sisterhood of Suffering and Service. Women provided comfort for soldiers, as they knitted socks, sweaters, mufflers and even bandages to ensure the soldier would never feel alone. Young Aboriginal girls handmade items for soldiers, collected clothing, money and sent food overseas; social events raised thousands of dollars as …show more content…
Aboriginal veterans and soldiers resentfully returned with pneumonia, tuberculosis and influenza. The victims of gas attacks were more susceptible to diseases and viruses due to the weakening of their lungs. Other aboriginal veterans returned home with missing limbs, which negatively impacted their ability for them to provide for their families and communities. In addition to, Aboriginal people suffered from cultural extinction during the post-war years. The Indian Act was created to assimilate the “inner Indian” into the dominant culture, also known as the Euro-Canadian culture; their way of living was considered unrighteous and savage. Young children were taken away from their homes and enrolled into residential schools run by the church; the children were not allowed to return home to their families or have any contact with them. Moreover, they were abused physically, sexually, and mentally; speaking their language or practicing their culture would result in serious consequences. With the latter being said, the assimilation of the Indian experience is intergenerational. Buried, traumatic pain lies in the lives of many Aboriginal people who were educated to be ashamed of who they were. To cope and numb the physical and mental pain alcohol became a serious addiction which lead to health
Although people of aboriginal ancestry died while fighting in The Great War, their histories remain unknown. …show more content…
The women looked after homes and communities, raised the children and tended to their homeland farms while husbands and sons were off at war. On November 5th, 1914, three months after Britain had declared war on Germany, two women living in Ontario visited the six nations Grand River Reserve, to discover a Women’s League which provided for soldiers who enlisted. “We are doing this because we have taken a great interest for some time in the Six Nation Indians and this is an opportune time for the women to uphold the tradition of their Nation”, remarked Sarah Glassford and Amy J. Shaw in A Sisterhood of Suffering and Service. Women provided comfort for soldiers, as they knitted socks, sweaters, mufflers and even bandages to ensure the soldier would never feel alone. Young Aboriginal girls handmade items for soldiers, collected clothing, money and sent food overseas; social events raised thousands of dollars as …show more content…
Aboriginal veterans and soldiers resentfully returned with pneumonia, tuberculosis and influenza. The victims of gas attacks were more susceptible to diseases and viruses due to the weakening of their lungs. Other aboriginal veterans returned home with missing limbs, which negatively impacted their ability for them to provide for their families and communities. In addition to, Aboriginal people suffered from cultural extinction during the post-war years. The Indian Act was created to assimilate the “inner Indian” into the dominant culture, also known as the Euro-Canadian culture; their way of living was considered unrighteous and savage. Young children were taken away from their homes and enrolled into residential schools run by the church; the children were not allowed to return home to their families or have any contact with them. Moreover, they were abused physically, sexually, and mentally; speaking their language or practicing their culture would result in serious consequences. With the latter being said, the assimilation of the Indian experience is intergenerational. Buried, traumatic pain lies in the lives of many Aboriginal people who were educated to be ashamed of who they were. To cope and numb the physical and mental pain alcohol became a serious addiction which lead to health