Eel River Bar, a Mi’kmaw community located in northern New Brunswick, holds a strong sense of pride for their veterans, with multiple generations finding unique ways to honor their legacies.
Arianna Gauvin Sanders, aged 17, has developed a keen interest in her community’s military history, particularly focusing on her great-grandparents, Michael and Margaret (Pictou) Labillois, who both served in the Second World War.
Expressing her motivation, she shared, “I was eager to delve deeper into the significance of their contributions, which made me feel more connected to that part of my family.”
Participating in a high school credit program with North Shore Legacy last year, she conducted research on Indigenous veterans and their roles in the First and Second World Wars. She noted the stark contrast in available documentation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous soldiers from that era.
In a significant journey in 2024, she traveled to Normandy to retrace the steps of New Brunswick soldiers who landed on Juno Beach. During the ceremony, she performed the Mi’kmaw honor song and placed tobacco ties on the graves of Indigenous soldiers.
Official records indicate that at least 3,000 First Nations members enlisted during the Second World War, alongside an undisclosed number of Inuit and Métis soldiers, with estimates suggesting higher participation rates.
Reflecting on their service, she remarked, “Even though they weren’t recognized as Canadian citizens at the time, they valiantly fought for their country.”
Now a Grade 12 student, she took on the role of master of ceremonies at her school’s recent Remembrance Day event for the second consecutive year. Each year, she eagerly searches for her great-grandparents’ banners among the 33 displayed in Eel River Bar, honoring Mi’kmaw veterans from the community.
Former chief Jake Caplin personally hangs a banner of his great-grandfather, Joseph Simonson, who served in both the First and Second World Wars. Captivated by this initiative, Caplin initiated the tradition of displaying banners after being inspired by a similar practice he witnessed in Presque Isle, Maine.
With a community of 885 registered members, including 350 on-reserve, Caplin reflected on the significant number of members who enlisted, many of whom also served in the U.S. military.
Regarding their motivations, Caplin mentioned, “They were driven by a sense of duty and a desire to fight for their country, a decision influenced by their faith in Canada’s intentions at the time, despite the subsequent historical realities.”
Colleen Gauvin, Arianna’s grandmother, shares the same sense of pride as her granddaughter when admiring her parents’ banners. Recalling her mother’s journey to join the Air Force during the Second World War, Gauvin highlighted the personal sacrifices made by her family members in service to their country.
Gauvin’s father, Michael Labillois, a survivor of residential schools, served as a private first class in the Service Corps Transport across several countries. Despite enduring challenging experiences, Gauvin expressed immense pride in her father’s resilience and service.
Reflecting on the collective legacy of her community members who served in both the U.S. and Canadian armed forces, Gauvin emphasized, “That’s who we are, a proud and resilient people.”
