Annual Remembrance Day march in Kahnawake honouring women in military this year

Resilience, strength, and courage are remembered in Kahnawake at the annual Remembrance Day march to honour women who’ve served and remember those who’ve fallen.

An annual tradition in Kahnawake where veterans from the Mohawk community and surrounding areas show their support. The parade began at the Legion where breakfast was served before marching through town.

“They work out, they sweat like us, they bleed like us, and they defend just as well, so we want to honor our women,” said Ray Deer, President of Legion 219/Canadian Armed Forces veteran.

This year’s theme honours the women who have fought and served with the Canadian and United States military. This is something that is vital says Mohawk Branch 219 President Ray Deer, as it is not only cultural to highlight women, but also a topic important to shed light on.

“I think it plays an important role. I mean everybody is you know everybody has something to give in the military and so it doesn’t matter what branch of service that you’re in or you know what M.O.S. you’re in you’re always contributing, so female veterans play an important role,” said Tara Jacobs, United States Marine Corps Veteran.

Deer says that this parade has been a tradition since 1951, with many Mohawks serving in every war since 1812.

“Our community is a matriarch society, so I mean what better thing than to have our matriarchs come out here, they’re the ones that brought us up, they’re the ones that teach us the language, they teach us the traditions so that carries on. We want them to come and do that here to show what they’ve done,” said Deer.

US Marine Corps veteran, Tara Jacob’s, said she and her fellow service women feel a sense of pride to be recognized, as she hopes one day more and more women will join the service.

“I enjoyed it, I loved it, and it gives me so much pride and like I said you learn to live, integrity, honestly, self determination, and so its great,” said Jacobs.

Deer adds that many like him, feel the presence of the spirits and ancestors during each step in the march.

“Being a serving member and an Aboriginal veteran, it’s an honour and certainly I hope to be an inspiration for young women,” said Michele Tremblay, Lieutenant-Commander, Royal Canadian Navy.