A Morley man is gearing up to commemorate his great uncle Joe Poucette who died in action in the Second World War, especially since he said there is a lack of recognition of Indigenous veterans by the country. The event coincides with Canada’s first National Aboriginal Veterans Day, which will be celebrated today in Calgary at the Military Museums at 4520 Crowchild Trail SW. Kenny House, a member of Stoney Nakoda First Nation, said the remembrance of fallen Indigenous soldiers is an important piece to maintaining his community’s history, as well as a means to pay respect to his ancestor that fought for peace in Canada. “That’s why he joined the army, to fight for his country and for his people,” House said. House said he wishes Canada could have done more to ensure freedom and rights his great uncle fought for were extended to First Nations communities. “I’m sure that he wasn’t expecting his people to be mistreated ... as far as Indigenous rights and land claims go and equal treatment, education, water, health care and all that,” House said. “Some of those are indeed covered by Indian Affairs, but it’s just not enough. Ottawa needs to do more for First Nations people in this country.” Poucette enlisted to the military when he was 19 years old and died in action about a year later. He was buried with honours in the Bretteville-sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery in Calvados, France. House said his family has told him stories about Poucette and that he was active, helped with farming and was known to many Southern Alberta farmers. “I know that he was a humble, kind, small-built gentleman and he liked to joke around a lot. He liked sports,” he said. According to an undated news clipping from Okotoks, Poucette had written a letter home where he stated he was disappointed he would be missing the Calgary Stampede while he was at war. “We try to teach my nephews and nieces and their children about who Joe Poucette was and that they make sure they remember him.” Today, five generations of Joe Poucette’s family and extended family are living. “We’re all inspired by his bravery because he gave up his life for this country and for us. For me as a grand nephew, the least I could do is put on a service for him every year in his honour, my way of giving thanks to him,” House said, who has been putting on a service for Poucette since the early 90s. House said he’s pleased to see more Indigenous communities remembering their veterans. “Although they haven’t got their rightful recognition as other Canadian soldiers have – it seems like there was not enough spotlight given to them. But now I’ve been seeing a lot of communities who have Indigenous people, male and female, who have joined the army... (and) are celebrating and are giving their own people – by their own people – recognition,” he said. “I’m so grateful ... that more Indigenous communities are starting to celebrate Remembrance Day, especially if they have community members that joined WWI and II.” The Stoney Nakoda Remembrance Day Services will take place at 10 a.m. on Nov. 11 at the Bearspaw Youth Centre. A lunch will follow at 12:30 p.m. For more information, contact Kenny House at (587) 349-9557.
