- 2025-11-05
- Campaign
Veterans’ Week 2025: A tribute to Canadian Armed Forces service at home
Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members have long served with dedication here at home and throughout the Americas. From search and rescue to wildfire response, pandemic support and beyond, service at home is often a forgotten story, yet it is one that is vital to the safety and strength of our country.
This year, we encourage you to reflect on the commitment needed for service — past and present — and to recognize the sacrifices made, including by those who lost their lives while training or serving on Canadian soil or due to their service-related injuries. Their contributions to Canada and across the Americas deserve our lasting respect and gratitude.
Why we honour Veterans’ Week
“The worst thing that can happen is that we are forgotten.”
— Canadian Armed Forces Veteran
Today, the average Canadian can live without fear of their children being sent into harm’s way — and that is thanks to the courage of others who have volunteered to stand up for them. During Veterans’ Week, we are reminded of our responsibility to support those who have served — and the Families who stand beside them — in any way we can. Many will face physical or mental injury, some will make the ultimate sacrifice, all in service to the freedoms we enjoy.
This is why we acknowledge Veterans’ Week. It is our duty to take this moment to reflect, to remember and to honour them.
We will remember.
Indigenous Veterans Day 2025: Remembering, honouring and learning from the contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Veterans and their Families
For generations, students in Canada have learned about the country’s historical heroes, yet the essential contributions made by First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples have often not received the recognition and honour they deserve. On November 8, Indigenous Veterans Day, we reflect on, relearn and honour those stories of courage, service and sacrifice made by Indigenous Veterans and their Families, even as they faced systemic injustices, both during and beyond their time in uniform.
“I think about the generations of Indigenous service members who came before me, many of whom never received the recognition or support they deserved. I carry their stories with me in my work and I hope that by sharing my own, I can help others feel less alone. Service can be difficult, but it connects us to one another, and that connection gives me healing and purpose.”
— Justin Woodcock, BSW, LS (Ret’d)
First Nations, Inuit and Métis Veterans, with their Families standing beside them, have served with honour in international conflicts and events throughout history, including the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War and in military operations both abroad and at home to this day. Many have done so while enduring discrimination, inequitable treatment and the burden of colonial policies affecting their rights and their communities.
Today, we remember and honour the warriors who gave their lives, those who live with service-related injuries or trauma, as well as those whose service came at the cost of their language, culture and identity. We also recognize the strength and sacrifice of Family members who have stood beside their loved ones in service throughout history.
We invite all to deepen understanding, listen to and learn from the many contributions made by Indigenous Veterans and their Families. Their service is a vital part of our shared history:
- Indigenous Veterans: Read about the histories of Indigenous service.
- First Nations, Inuit and Métis Veterans and their Families: Learn more about the contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Veterans and Veteran Families.
- Indigenous Peoples and Canada’s military: Explore the impacts of war and service for Indigenous communities.
- Indigenous Veterans Day marked at ceremonies across the country: Videos of National Indigenous Veterans Day ceremonies and interviews with Indigenous Veterans and Family members.
- Honouring their bravery and dedication: Indigenous veterans have their special day: First Nations Veterans share about their military service.
- Mission accomplished: Marking the resting places of Indigenous Veterans: Blog post about the Last Post Fund’s Indigenous Veterans Initiative, which works to ensure graves of Indigenous Veterans are properly marked.
Additional learning
Indigenous Canada: University of Alberta course providing context on systemic issues that affect Indigenous experiences in the CAF and post-service.
Ways to observe Veterans’ Week
- Attend a Remembrance Day ceremony on November 11: Wear a poppy, attend a ceremony and learn about the stories of Veterans who sacrificed for our freedoms.
- Snapshots of their lives: Watch last year’s Veterans’ Week video to hear stories of a few of the individuals who gave their lives in service to our country.
- Veterans’ Week: Pausing to remember: Listen to the stories of Veterans and their Families, learn from their experiences and reflect on what each Veteran and their Family have given to us, as individuals and as a country.
- Remembrance Day video: Hear what Remembrance Day means to a Canadian Veteran.
- Ways to remember: Explore various ways to remember and pay tribute to those who serve and have served, beyond participating in Remembrance Day ceremonies.
- Canadian military history: Learn about our role in various conflicts and peacekeeping missions throughout history. Browse educational resources, view online exhibits or visit one of Canada’s military museums.
- Indigenous Veterans Day: On November 8, join in honouring and giving thanks for the service and legacy of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Veterans by participating in a local ceremony.
Veterans’ Week is the start of a season that can be challenging for some Veterans and Veteran Family members. Visit our directory of services for a list of resources and supports for military members, Veterans, and their Families, including links to crisis services, counselling and therapy, educational tools and peer support.
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