Métis National Council

Return to Juno NOVEMBER 2009

:: Métis Nation Delegation, , Normandy, :: “This memorial is a reminder of the debt we all owe to those Métis who fought, were wounded or died protecting world freedom, giving us and future generations the means to strive for a prosperous and strong Métis Nation.”

– Clément Chartier Métis National Council President

2 Robert Bruce Howard Donn Fowler Dickenson

Edmond Gagne Joseph Gagnon Francis Godon

Leo Goulet Ronald Charlie Monkman St. Germaine

1 NOVEMBER 11TH,2009 :: COURSEULLES-SUR-MER,FRANCE Métis NationVeterans Memorial unveiled at Juno Beach Centre

memorial to the thousands of IndianAffairs and Northern Development freedom,giving us and future generations Métis Nation citizens who served and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and the means to strive for a prosperous and in theWorldWars was dedicated at Non-Status Indians for the dedication strong Métis Nation.” the Juno Beach Centre in ceremony. The memorial features a Red River Courseulles-sur-Mer,France on “On behalf of all Métis,I express my joy Cart,one of the most recognized symbols ANovember 11,2009.A delegation and pride in being here today to of the Métis Nation.It also includes of Métis Nation veterans,youth and commemorate and celebrate the service artifacts from Métis culture and history, dignitaries joined Clement Chartier, and sacrifice of the Métis Nation’s greatest and exhibits highlighting the contri- President of the Metis National Council heroes;our veterans of the world wars,” butions of Métis soldiers,sailors and (MNC),David Chartrand,President of the said President Clement Chartier.“This aircrew during the World Wars and in the Métis Federation and MNC memorial is a reminder of the debt we all Canadian landing at Juno Beach as part of Minister forVeterans Affairs,and the owe to those Métis who fought,were the 1945 liberation of Europe. Honourable Chuck Strahl,Minister of wounded or died protecting world “It is an honour to be participating in

2 this special moment on this truly historic MétisWorldWar II veterans in attendance be a constant reminder of how we must battleground,”said the Honourable Chuck with special awards in recognition of their continue working to ensure all Métis Strahl,Minister of IndianAffairs and service to the Métis Nation and . Nation veterans get the acknowledgment Northern Development and Federal The ceremony also included a and benefits they deserve.” Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status performance by renowned Métis dance President Chartier thanked Minister Indians.“The Red River Cart is a symbol troupe,the St.AmbroiseYouth Steppers, Strahl,the Office of the Federal that highlights the strength and determi- who were part of the youth delegation. Interlocutor andVeterans Affairs Canada nation of the Métis servicemen and “The memorial will help our youth and for their support in making the memorial women,some of whom I have the all future generations of Métis Nation possible and providing resources for Métis privilege of standing with today,and to all citizens honour the bravery and Nation veterans to attend the ceremony. of whom Canada is truly grateful.” selflessness of our veterans,”said David He also thanked the Juno Beach Centre for To commemorate the memorial exhibit Chartrand,MMF President and MNC their assistance in developing the exhibits unveiling,President Chartier presented Minister forVeterans Affairs.“It will now and hosting the dedication ceremony.

 Donn Fowler, Joseph Gagnon, Howard Dickenson, Ronald Monkman, Edmond Gagne,Robert Bruce and Francis Godon.

3 The SecondWorldWar BY NAOMI GORDON,courtesy of the Metis Nation of

he SecondWorldWar began on September 1st,1939 with the invasion of Poland by German forces.In swift reaction Britain,France,Australia,and New Zealand declared war against on September T 3rd.A proclamation by King GeorgeVI came on September 10,announcing Canada’s declaration of war.

On the Canadian front,defences along units followed successively.By December .) the coastal shores were strengthened.Troop the entire 2nd Canadian had The year 1941 saw the war spread of existing units began and by reached the shores of England. throughout the Pacific and NorthAfrica.In the end of September 58,337 new In France the situation was dire as the summer the volunteers had enlisted in the Canadian German forces moved hastily in attack.The landed in England.On the Eastern front in Armed Forces.In December the 1st fall of France came shortly after Italy Europe,by surprise attack Germany invaded Canadian Division was dispatched to attacked along the Mediterranean coastlines. Russia on June 22,1941.The fierceness and England and by February the strength of France surrendered on June 22,1940. scale of this battle was colossal.German personnel in England numbered 23,304. On July 24,the 7th Corps comprised of forces numbered 3 million strong On theWestern front,after the fall of the and the 1st employing violent efficiency advancing Poland an eerie lull set in from October BritishArmoured Division was formed and German troops to Moscow and Leningrad 1939 toApril 1940.This period became began preparing for the defence of Britain. by winter.Russian troops fought hard, known as the“The PhonyWar.”Both Allied The first phase of Hitler’s Sea Lion stalling the advancement of the enemy in and enemy forces took advantage by Operation – the invasion of Britain- was December. preparing troops and fortifying defence launched onAugust 12,1940.The German On December 7,1941 Japan attacked lines.This quiet period broke onApril 9, Air Force (Luftwaffe) unleashed a bombing Pearl Harbor,in swift reaction America 1940 as German armies overran the neutral campaign that targeted radar stations and joined theAllied powers declaring war on states of Denmark and Norway.One month airfields,later switching to mass bombing Japan and Italy.The war further flared in the later,onApril 10 German armies launched raids on London.As the Luftwaffe was Pacific led by Japan who attacked Hong assaults on Holland and .With unable to gain air superiority Hitler indefi- Kong,Philippines,Northern Malaysia and brutal efficiency the German army cut nitely delayed .Outside Guam.The first Canadian troops to see through Dutch defences within days and of the European campaign Mussolini turned battle would occur in Hong Kong. continued their assault through to Belgium attention to North Africa,striking In the European campaign,the Canadian reaching the Channel coast by May 21.On Somaliland in late summer and invading troops saw first battle during the Dieppe June 10,Norway surrendered.That same Egypt in September.Japan sided with the Raid inAugust 1942.InApril,the day Italy declared war on Britain and axis alliance on September 27 joining Combined Operations headquarters began France.The surge of German forces into Germany and Italy against the allied drafting plans for an attack on Dieppe.The France led to the mass evacuation of allied powers.Mussolini continued his attacks, intention of the raid was two-fold.The troops,which was carried out during the invading Greece in October. first to secure a port along the end of May at Dunkirk. As Britain no longer feared invasion and French coastline and secondly With the advancement of enemy forces the was in its to test new machinery, through the Low Countries,Canada entirety,the 7th Corps was disbanded in weaponry,and techniques deployed the first unit of the 2nd Canadian December of 1940.The Canadians formed that would be used for the Division to England in late May.Other the Canadian Corps (later called the 1st future large-scale Allied

4 invasion along the coast.The plan called for Grammichele.The Division moved on to of Italy crossing the central mountain range a joint British and Canadian front.The 2nd take Caltagirone and met combat on to Catanzaro and forward to Castrovillari.A Division was chosen for the attack. September 17th at Piazza Armerina.To Canadian was used in a Special Intensive combined training and battle dress impede Allied advancement enemy forces Forces unit that captured Potenza on rehearsal was done on the Isle ofWight.The bombed bridges and roadways causing September 20.Allied forces held a line that plan entailed five different attack points.On Allied troops to continue the advance by ran from coast to coast having liberated August 18 troops departed from foot.The 1stArmoured Brigade moved to much of the southern region.The push into Portsmouth and Southampton.Early in the captureAssoro while the 1st Motta saw 1st Divisions battle with German morning ofAugust 19,troops attacked their Division took Leonforte.German units in forces,their first battle in Italy.A succession designated landing position.Awaiting the both towns offered Canadians a bitter of bitter battles continuedas troops moved Allies was German small arm and artillery battle.Orders were given to continue into to captureVoiturara,Vinchiaturo, and fire.The losses were tragic.Of the original the town ofAgira,Canadians again met Campobasso. 4,963 Canadian soldiers that departed for violent fighting and suffered heavy losses, By NovemberAllied forces had neared Dieppe only 2,210 returned.There were but forced the enemy back.The 3rd the German line.Once this line had been 1,946 prisoners of war and 907 Canadians Canadian Brigade captured Catenanuova on pierced the FifthArmy was able to advance died. July 29 through difficult battle.Some units to Rome.Canadian and British Divisions of the Division took part in the assault on moved along theAdriatic Coast fighting SICILY & ITALY Regualbuto from July 30 toAugust 3. fiercely along the Sangro before entering Canadian troops were put on leave on north to the Moro River.Some of Canada’s The next phase of the war for Canada August 6 before readying to cross the most severe and costly battles took place in involved the invasion of Sicily and Italy.The Messina Straight,onwards to Italy. this region specifically at San Leonardo and operation was designed to help alleviate Military strategists and Allied high Casa Baradi.After the towns captures,the pressures on the Russian front by forcing command debated as to the importance of Canadians advanced to the Ossogna and German troops to defend southern areas. extended operations in the Mediterranean Ortona crossroad by December 19. With the capture of SicilyAllied forces but came to an agreement that the Italian The capture of Ortona took eight would gain naval control over the Campaign would act as subordinate to the grueling days.Battery’s of artillery fire criss- Mediterranean Sea.On July 10,1943Allied North-West Europe Campaign.Plans called crossed through the city’s medieval forces launched Operation Husky – the for the Eighth BritishArmy to advance to buildings,culminating with violent street invasion of Sicily.The seventh U.S Army Naples while the Fifth U.SArmy stormed fighting.Ortona was made memorable by and the Eighth BritishArmy carried out the Salerno,seized Naples and continued to the house-to-house combat called‘mouse- attack.The 1st Canadian Infantry Division Rome.Shortly after Italy’s invasion by holing.’The city fell on December 28. and the 1st CanadianArmoured Brigade Allied forces,Mussolini’s government was InApril,under guarded secrecy the served under the Eight BritishArmy. toppled. Eighth BritishArmy and the 1st Canadian On July 10,1943 Canadian troops landed On September 3,1943 Canadian troops Corps were dispatched to the FifthArmy on Pachino Beach,meeting minimal moved across the straight,landing at Reggio for the assault on Mounte Cassino,which resistance from Italian forces.Once units di Calabria.Resistance was meager as Allied forces had been trying to capture secured the beachfront,troops marched German forces retreated to secure strategic since February.Four days of bloody battle inland without incident.On September 15, positions further inland. ensued and on May 18,Polish forces took Canadians encountered the Germans at Canadian troops moved into the interior Cassino.

5 On May 23 the assault on the Hitler Line defences along Normandy’s coastline.By began the costly and bloody battle into the was launched amidst heavy artillery and morning troops prepared to storm one the Falasie Gap.Troop strength was increased by small arms fire.A breach in the line was five designated beaches.On the far right the the formation of the First Canadian made allowing the advancement ofAllied First United StatesArmy attacked on the Armyheadquarters.The attack against troops northward.Americans reached beaches“Utah”and“Omaha.”To the left the Falaise was executed in three phases.First Rome,which fell on June 4.Canadian Second BritishArmy stormed the beaches was an attack launched troops were further east at Frosinone.In late “Gold”and“Sword.”Between these British under the cover of dark on the night of July June Canadians were put on leave with the beachfronts the Canadian 3rd Infantry 25.This was one of the bloodiest attacks for exception of the 1stArmoured Brigade that Division (under command of the British) Canadians who suffered heavy losses. was supporting the Eighth BritishArmy. assaulted“Juno”beach. Pinned down by Germans,Canadians EarlyAugust saw the 1st Division resume Juno beach ran a stretch of 8 kilometers withdrew. in battle for the city of Florence.Under from Saint-Aubin to Bernièrs to A second attempt to pierceVerrieres attack German forces retreated behind the Courseulles-sur-Mer.The beach was further Ridge was made onAugust 7.Operation Gothic Line that ran from Pesaro to La divided into two sectors:Nan (Aubin and Totalize was designed to draw the Germans Speiza.In lateAugust the entire Canadian Berniers) and Mike (Courseulles) for the into a narrow lane that could then be closed force made its attack on the Line to capture troops landing.The 7th Brigade was tasked byAllied troops.For this to work additional Rimini.In addition to fierce enemy Mike Sector and the 8th Brigade directed forces were required.It was decided that the resistance,troops had to battle the natural to Nan Sector.As troops readied to land, attack would be executed during the night obstacles of the land.Impeding their Allied artillery pounded the shoreline. following intense air raids.After initial advance were six rivers that had to be Canadian troops fought bravely through the Allied progress,movement halted and maneuvered through with help of the Royal maelstrom of enemy fire securing the troops were again unable to penetrate Canadian Engineers who had played an beachhead by days end. German forces holding the Ridge.On integral role in Italy.By September 21 The D-Day objective for Canadians was August 11,Allies withdrew. troops reached Rimini. to push inland to the airfield. Three days later OperationTractable was Canadians were taken out on leave and Weather and fierce enemy resistance slowed launched.It relied on the use of tanks and returned to battle in October.The dismal troop advancements.Although unable to smoke screens that would cover the infantry weather and the dug in German units make their D-Day objective they reached units in the flank.Successful,the 2nd hampered movement forAllies to collapse their intermediate objective at Creully. Division entered the town onAugust 16.As the Gothic Line.Combat continued and by Over the next few days Canadians not all enemy forces were cut off,the First December Canadian troops had taken assaulted Putot-en-Bessin,Bretteville and CanadianArmy was tasked to close the gap defensive positions that they held Le Mesnil-Patry.The latter was unsuccessful between Falaise and .The German throughout the winter.In February 1945 and resulted in heavy casualties forcing army began to withdraw from France the 1st Canadian Corps began movementof Canadian troops in retreat.The capture of following their defeat in Falaise. troops out of Italy to reunite with the First the Capriquet airfield on July 4 was prelude Canadian forces followed in pursuit and CanadianArmy for the Northwest Europe to the desperate battle for ,which fell were directed to move north along the Campaign. on July 10. Channel ports.In order for troops to It was during this time that the II continue the advance into Belgium and NORMANDY Canadian Corps was formed.With troops at beyond they required secure passageways full strength,forces headed south of Caen for supplies.Hitler recognized the strategic The long awaited assault on Northwest towards Falaise.Costly battles raged over importance and ordered that ports be held Europe took place on June 6,1944 – D-Day. the next few weeks as troops neared their at all costs.On September 17th the 3rd This was to be the largest amphibious attack objective.Canadians captured the towns of Canadian Division battled against in history with 5000 ships sailing toward St-Andre-sur-Orne,Ifs,and Bourguebus determined German units for the city of Normandy supported by 11,000 aircraft.On during the advance to theVerrieres Ridge, Bologne.After days of intense fighting and the night of June 5 and into the morning of which remained impenetrable. heavy allied air strikes Canadians captured June 6 barrages of artillery fired upon enemy From July 24-August 21 Canadian troops the city on September 22.

6 Between September 25 to October 1, As winter set in Canadian troops were regions.The 3rd Canadian Division fought Canadians stormed the heavily fortified city positioned along the Maas and the bravely to capture Zutphen onApril 8, of .Many casualties were suffered by salient.The next three months followed by Deventer,and Leeuwarden by Canadian troops who managed to pierce fell to a static front line with Canadians April 15. the strongly defended perimeter and holding their position.In February 1955 Meanwhile the 2nd Infantry Division advance into the city.In addition to seizing Allied troops including the First Canadian moving along the 3rd Division’s right flank ports,troops destroyedV-1 bombing bases Army launched OperationVeritable a large- reached Groningen onApril 13th taking the and weaponry used to assail southern scale task to clear the Reichswald Forest, city three days later.With troops advancing England. pierce the ,clear the rapidly,German resistance began to wane. Over the fall of 1944,Canadians engaged Hockwald Forest defences and close the ByApril 25,American and Russian troops in the .Though .Arial bombings preceded the ground were at Elbe.Within days the Russian forces had been liberated German units attack over flooded fields and other natural had surrounded Berlin.Hitler committed held the waterway areas into the city obstacles.After tiring battle,the Canadian suicide followed shortly by the surrendering denyingAllied forces a secure supply route. and British struggled through the muddy of German troops.On May 7,1955 the Three phases were implemented to gain Reichswald Forest and hit the Siegfried official German surrender was signed at control of the Scheldt River,the South Line on February 21. Rheims, France. Beveland isthms and peninsula,and the The fight for the Hockwald Forest was The war in Europe was ended. island ofWalcheren.Difficult battles ensued intense with troops having to battle the at all points as German resistance was fierce. natural elements and the formidable THE END INTHE PACIFIC By October 16,the 2nd Canadian Division German resistance.After the tiring slow had fought determinedly through to the advance the Hockwald Forest was captured WhileAllied forces had just won the war entrance of South Beveland,suffering many by March 4.The fight through in Northwest Europe battle still raged in the casualties.The isthmus was taken on the cost Canada a great number of killed and Pacific.Many soldiers who had fought in 24th and the peninsula was captured by wounded men,namely within the First the Northwest Europe Campaign enlisted theend of the month. . for duty in the Pacific. Along the southern banks of the Shceldt The push into Holland required the 1st The war in the Pacific was soon to River,the 3rd Canadian Division engaged Canadian Corps to takeArnhem in order to change following the first atomic bomb fiercely with the Germans on October 6. open supply routes for convoys moving dropped on Hiroshima,Japan onAugust 6, Continued assaults won the southern banks northeast.Following Allied air strikes the 1945.The result was devastating for the to Canadians by November 3. city fell onApril 14.The next city to fall Japanese as three quarters of the city was The last stronghold was the island of wasApeldoorn byApril 17.While completely obliterated and countless Walcheren.In addition to German units, advancing though Holland Canadian forces civilians killed.Again onAugust 9 a second Canadians were faced with the natural land saw the famine like conditions of the Dutch bomb was dropped on the ports of barriers.On October 31 troops attacked the population and began negotiations with the Nagasaki.On august 14,Japan uncondi- island from the sea,the east and the south. Germans for convoys of food to be tionally surrendered. After days of grueling warfare,the island fell delivered.By May thousands of tones of The surrender of Japan brought the toAllied forces by mid November.The food began arriving for the Dutch SecondWorldWar to a close. route opened and was in use byAllies by the population. end of the month. Troops continued to the northeastern

7 ROBERT BRUCE Royal Canadian Army Service Corps

 MMF youth Paige Ricard with Robert Bruce. rivate Robert Bruce was born on the 11th of February 1922. PHe enlisted in the army on the 8th of November 1941 and sent for training to Joliet, and Camp Borden, . Robert was then sent overseas and served in the United Kingdom, where he met his war bride Lorna. He then served in Continental Europe,until his Honourable Discharge on December 8th, 1945. Private Bruce received the following medals:The Canadian Voluntary Service Medal plus clasp,the 1939-1945 Star,the France and Germany Star and the Defence Medal.

 Robert Bruce,Gary Fyke and Lorna Bruce 8 HOWARD DICKENSEN Royal Navy - served on HMS Reaper

was born onApril 16th,1923 to my Norfolk,Va.We were then loaded with parents Bertram and Jessie Dickenson aircraft and were off to Greenock in I of Petersfield Manitoba.I was the only .We then went to NewYork back son,but I have three Sisters,Bess,Clarice, across to Gibralter with more aircraft,up and Patricia. to Greenock with a convoy and back to I joined the Navy in ,AB in Panama. June of 1943 as 2nd class stocker.I was sent We were loaned to theAmerican task toVictoria for basic training.Due to my force for Japanese invasion and off to Pearl trade,I was promoted to E.R.A 5th class.I Harbor,Guam,Siapan,Ulithi,New did steam engine training aboard CPR Guinea and back to Pearl Harbor.We boats operating betweenVancouver and picked up 50 US Marines in Saipan -- Victoria for 30 days. crossed the Equator and had a big party.We In September 1943 I got loaned to the could not have a party on our first crossing British Navy and sent to Brementon,USA. due to Japanese subs in the area. I boarded ship and did sea trials,the ship We did over 100,000 nautical miles, was commissioned as HMS Reaper, a baby closed up for action in Ulithi.However flat top air craft carrier.We had target nothing happened. practice aroundVancouver Island.Our I was discharged from the ship inAugust gunners were so bad that the tug pulling ‘45,went back to Halifax and got married. target took off for their own safety. That was the extent of my navy We then sailed down to the coast to San voyages,and I did not carry a clover leaf or Diego and onto to Panama then up to rabbit’s foot.

9 DONN FOWLER Glengarry Highlanders

ur volunteer 3rd Canadian on occupied Europe.Our Canadian Division set sail from Halifax, Infantry units were assigned to specific ONova Scotia,in July 1941,in a sections of Juno Beach,which was attacked large convoy,and arrived in England about on June 6th,1944,known as D-Day.The the 15th of July,1941.During the next Glens landed at Berniere-sur-mer. three years we trained in huge allied As a trained Glengarrian,I did not land combat formations in a series of code- in Normandy until the 15th of July 1944, named mock battle exercises such as in time for the attacks on Caen and the “Tiger”and“Neptune”throughout Falaise Gap.I served throughout England and Scotland. Normandy,France,Belgium,Holland and Following extensive and strenuous Germany and when the war ended,we conditioning the entire Canadian army Glens were in the north seaport of was fit and ready for what later came to be Emden, Germany. known as‘’,the assault – Donn Fowler

Donn Fowler and wife Eva.

10 EDMOND GAGNE RoyalWinnipeg Rifles dmond Gagne was born July 25,1921 in Mornville,Alberta to Joseph and EKatherine Gagne.He was raised within a traditional Métis household learning traditions and culture from his mother.Though times were less difficult for the Gagne family in comparison to others Edmond still contributed by selling fur to the Hudson’s Bay Company.“I learnt it [trapping] from my friends,Métis.There was lots of Métis,mostly Métis up in this country.” Once the SecondWorldWar began times changed drastically.In 1941,he was called to duty enlisting in with the Edmonton Fusiliers.After advanced commando training in Southern England he was transferred into‘D’Company of the RoyalWinnipeg Rifles. On D-Day,June 6th,1944 when the RoyalWinnipeg Rifles stormed Juno Beach in Mike Sector,landing near Courseulles. Edmond as part of the second wave contingent had little on his mind but trying to make it out alive.“We got close to Normandy and then the ships anchored. And then the barrages went in troops.You had to go down a rope ladder into these LCI’s (Land Craft Infantry).One of the waves went in and two hours after the first wave went in,we went in.The boat I was in let the gangplank down.We couldn’t get very close.So,we had to get in the water up to our necks,ice-cold water.There were bullets flying around and planes dropping bombs,everything going.I was scared to death.But I never was hit there;I was lucky I never got hit.” On July 4,1944,intense combat ensued as Germans dug in to hold the strategic airfield.Edmond would not see the capturing of the airfield,instead the flash of an airburst.He was transported to a medic’s tent located on the beach where doctors  Edmond Gagne with Irena Chichak removed shrapnel and stabilized him for transport to an army hospital.He stayed overseas in hospital care for four months before traveling home. Although a piece of shrapnel sits lodged in his skull,a constant reminder of the battles he faced,Edmond seldom reflects on the war.He returned to Europe 15 years ago as a representative for Aboriginal veterans.He felt fortunate to be able to return and pay respect to those who fell during the Second World War. — Naomi Gordon

11 JOSEPH GAGNON Calgary Highlanders

étisVeteran Joseph Gagnon England.A year following Gagnon’s joined the army onApril 26th, return to Canada,in 1946,Davies M1941,beginning active duty on travelled to Canada on the Queen Mary May 2nd.When he left Canada in June of to be with her husband.The two have a the same year,he was only 16 years old. son and daughter who were both born in Four years later,he returned as a Lance England.His son is now a pastor and corporal.Prior to his servitude,he proud Métis Nation of Ontario citizen. worked in lumber camps and continued His daughter is a retired Registered this during his time in the army where he Nurse. worked in the forestry core.He didn’t Gagnon comes by his military history serve on the front lines but provided a honestly and has proudly passed it on.His service just as important;delivering father,Henry Holinger,fought in France supplies to the guards on duty. duringWWI.His son,David,was active InAugust 1945,he returned to Canada in the Navy during the ColdWar and his and left the army,resuming his work in grandson served in Bosnia with the Maniwaki at the lumber camp. British Navy. During his servitude,he married For his servitude,Gagnon was awarded Doreen Davies.The two married in the Defence Medal,the Canadian 1942,making Gagnon the first Canadian Voluntary Medal and theWar Medal Soldier to be married in Stockton, 1939-1945.

12 FRANCIS GODON Rifles, B-Company

rances Godon is from Boisevain, Manitoba.When he tried to enlist F the first time in the CanadianArmy he was rejected because he was underage. Frances later tried twice more and was rejected both times.He was told he had flat feet or didn’t have enough education.The fourth time he tried to enlist he was successful and was sent toWinnipeg and then to Nova Scotia for his training. Frances was trained as an anti-tank gunner.His job required trying to destroy enemy tanks so the infantry could better advance. When his unit hit the beach on June 6, 1944,he found his rifle didn’t work.He used grenades until he got to shore and was able to grab a German rifle and ammunition. Advancing furthur inshore,he was able to be resupplied with a weapon. While on a scouting patrol he was captured by Germans.He was with about 4 other Métis and a couple of First Nation buddies from his platoon.Frances remembers cleary his captivity:“28 days in a seething hot boxcar with only a can of cabbage water and a slice of bread to eat each day.” In total,he spent over 11 months as a POW,losing a tremendous amount of weight (going from 215 lbs.to 120 lbs).He says the men were,“half animal,half man when it was over.”Frances credits his parents’Métis teachings for helping him survive this ordeal.

13 LEO GOULET RoyalWinnipeg Rifles

t's taken 65 years,but the contri- butions and sacrifices of Métis Iveterans and those who died at Juno Beach on D-Day are finally being recognized. “It's about time,”says 85 year old Métis veteran Leo Goulet softly. Goulet lives with Rosanna,his wife of 57 years,on theAtikameg (Whitefish Lake) First Nation,430 kilometres north of Edmonton. Goulet,at just 20 years old,was one of 400 infantrymen with the .They were among 14,000 Canadians who stormed Juno Beach the morning of June 6,1944. He and 75 others in his regiment survived the landing only to be captured by the Nazis three days later. Their captors,who didn't even have enough food for themselves,talked about killing their prisoners before finally deciding to take them along. Goulet spent 10 months in a prisoner of war camp before he was forced into a death march,one of a series of such marches during the final stages of the SecondWorldWar in Europe,when more than 80,000 allied POWs were force marched westward across Poland, Czechoslovakia and Germany. It was the last time he saw the 75 others from his regiment.Goulet, who said he has often wondered what happened to them,said he hopes to find out when the flight to France stops inWinnipeg to pick up more veterans. By the time the allies liberated  WWII veteran Leo Goulet during a tour of Europe and Goulet was freed,he Arromanches-les-Bains, France in November 2009. weighed a skeletal 94 pounds, 59 pounds less than normal.

 Francis Godon,a Normandy resident and Leo Goulet  Francis Godon with Leo Goulet.

14 RONALD MONKMAN Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry

he Métis played a significant role were moved to Germany to clean up the in the concentration camps,Monkman was TduringWWII and it’s important to assigned to the Regimental Police to guard honour the bravery and selflessness of our the German POWs.He was the guard that Métis veterans,like Ron Monkman,and escorted Kurt “Panzermeyer” Meyer, an to give them the acknowledgment and officer in theWaffen-SS charged with war benefits they deserve”said David crimes.It was during this time that he Chartrand,MMF President and MNC learned how to speak German. Minister forVeterans Affairs. Once back in Canada in 1946, Monkman joined the army in 1942 Monkman took a discharge from the army. with the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light He helped build the runways at the Gimli Infantry (PPCLI) when he was 17.He was Air Force Base with Monarch sent over to Scotland for training with Construction and built a major part of fellow Manitoban Monty Sair and Joe highway 59 that connectsWinnipeg to Heillman before being shipped to Holland. Victoria Beach while working for Keyway In Holland,he was promoted to Corporal Construction.Last year,Monkman was and sent to theWinnipeg Rifles,a one- selected to represent Selkirk and infantry regiment nicknamed surrounding areas at the Juno Beach “Little Black Devils”.When the Rifles Memorial in France.

15 CHARLIE ST.GERMAINE Calgary Highlanders

harlie St.Germaine was born in an attack that night but we didn’t know Clear Hills,Alberta July 8,1924 where.It was at night too.It was in St. C toAldolphus and Nancy St. Andre and when it broke daylight we tried Germaine.He was one of seven children to take May-sur-Orne but we couldn’t do raised on the small family homestead. it…we came halfway back to St.Andre. In early childhood Charlie began to That’s where we had to dig in until the follow example of his father,a skilled shelling stopped over us…I wished to hunter.By the age of six he was armed Christ I would have stayed home.We had with a rifle bringing home chickens and no idea what we were up against.” squirrels.“It was just the way of life.As far Charlie’s last battles were fought in as I can remember it I enjoyed it.” Holland before he was withdrawn from In the summer of 1942,he enlisted with the front lines because of battle Regiment,a exhaustion. choice he made because of scarce In 2005,Charlie returned to the battle- employment and his dream to follow his  Charlie St.Germaine speaks with fields of Europe with theAboriginal brother Joseph who had enlisted in 1939. Reporter Peter O'Neil, Canwest. Spiritual Journey.The journey provided a Charlie underwent basic and advanced space to openly discuss his disappointment training in Camrose and in the fall of France.The 3rd Division had taken com and frustration over the lack of recognition 1942,he sailed for England. across the river Seine.That’s where we and services given to Métis veterans.“To After landing at Juno Beach on D-Day took over and we sat there for,I don’t me it’s like they started to realize what the Charlie engaged in his first battle for the know about ten days.That’s on account of Métis people were.They started to towns of St.Andre-sur-Orne and May- the weather.It would rain and rain and recognize that we gave up our lives for this sur-Orne in the later part of July.On July rain…all they did was shell one another country…and how we were treated after 25 Operation Spring was launched as the back and forth.You got to tell just about the war…now they realize what we gave first phase of capturing the Falaise Gap. where those shells were going to fall.They up,the Aboriginal people,the Inuit…there “We went all the way up to Caen, started telling us we were going to make were so many that gave their lives.”

16 They started to recognize that we gave up our lives for this country…and how we were treated after the war…Now they realize what we gave up...

BENY-SUR-MER CEMETARY

France

The Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery is a cemetery containing predominantly Canadian soldiers killed during the early stages of the Battle of Normandy in the SecondWorld War.The Cemetery is located in and named after Bény-sur-Mer in the department,near Caen in lower Normandy.As is typical of war cemeteries in France,the grounds are beautifully landscaped and immaculately kept.

17 Commemorating the achievements of the Métis veterans is something we should all be committed to: today... tomorrow ....forever.

 MNC President Clément Chartier, Susan Cardinal-Lamouche,  Arromanches-les-Bains, Métis veteran Charlie St.Germaine,MSGC President Gerald France MULBERRY Cunningham and Derrold St.Germaine. HARBOUR

Arromanches-les-Bains November 11, 2009

Designated as during the D-Day landings, Arromanches-les-Bains was used by British troops in the Allied invasion.Arromanches was selected as one of the sites for two Mulberry Harbours (a type of temporary harbour developed inWWII to offload cargo on the beaches) built on the Normandy coast.

Sections of the Mulberry Harbour at Arromanches still remain today with huge concrete blocks sitting on the sand,and more can be seen further out at sea.  Remnants of a Mulberry Harbour from the D-Day landings in 1944.

18 “At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.”

 Métis Nation delegation on Juno Beach

JUNO BEACH

Courseulles-sur-Mer, France

Juno Beach was the code name of one of the five main landing sites of theAllied invasion  Delegation tours bunker at Juno Beach. of the coast of Normandy on D-Day during  (left) James Fyke.(right) Francis Godon inside bunker at Juno Beach. WorldWar II.It was situated between and Gold Beach.It is also known as the Canadian beach,as it was assigned to the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division.Juno Beach stretched from Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer on the east to Courseulles-sur-Mer on the west.

The 3rd Canadian Division was placed under the command of British for the initial phase of the liberation,and did not come under Canadian command again until July 1944 and the establishment of II Canadian Corps headquarters in Normandy.

19 20  Robert Bruce,Ronald Monkman and Francis Godon.  Joseph Gagnon with MNC President Clément Chartier.

 MMF President David Chartrand and Métis Settlements General Council President Gerald Cunningham.

 MNC President Chartier and Ronald Monkman.  Joe Edwards,Oliver Boulette and Al Desjarlais. 21  Minister Chuck Strahl speaks with Robert Bruce.

22  Joseph Gagnon,Wayne Price,Jim Loutitt and Donn Fowler.

 Wayne Price and Lissa Smith.  Diane Robinson,DonnaWuttunee and Al Benoit.

23  Joe Edwards and DeniseThomas.  Honorary Colonel Fred Caron  St.AmbroiseYouth Steppers perform traditional Métis dances during ceremony.

MEMORIAL CEREMONY

Juno Beach Centre November 11, 2009

The Juno Beach Centre is a museum located in Courseulles- sur-Mer in France.It is situated immediately behind the beach codenamed Juno,the section of theAllied beachhead on which 14,000 Canadian troops landed on D-Day June 6th,1944.

 Marie-Josée Lafond and RogerAlexandre of the Juno Beach Center Friends Association. M. Lebaron Président Comite Juno Normandie and Juno Beach Centre guides Stéphanie and Annika

 The Honourable Chuck Strahl speaks at the Juno Beach Interpretive Centre

24 Today...tomorrow...forever

Speech by CLÉ́MENT CHARTIER Métis National Council President Presented on November 11,2009 at the Juno Beach Center, Courseulles-sur-Mer, France

n behalf of all Métis,I express my joy and pride in being here today to commemorate and Ocelebrate the service and sacrifice of the Métis Nation’s greatest heroes;our veterans of the world wars. To be here today at this wonderful memorial,at the beaches of Normandy where so many of our fathers, grandfathers,uncles and cousins fought and died -- and be among those who fought and survived -- is a feeling I will cherish forever. To our veterans,I say thank you from the bottom of my heart for stopping the scourge of fascism that threatened to enslave all of mankind.For upholding the basic rights and freedoms of humanity.For enabling all of us to strive for peace,prosperity and dignity in our time. For making possible the tremendous social,economic and scientific progress of the post-war era.By fighting for and protecting these fundamental principles of democracy, you laid the foundations of our political movement which strives to improve the conditions of our people.Whatever advances we have made,we owe to you and what you did on the battlefield many years ago. I am also very pleased to be standing among two champions of the cause of Métis veterans. President David Chartrand of the Manitoba Métis Federation has waged a relentless campaign over many years to have our veterans recognized.It is largely to his credit that this great event has occurred. The Honourable Chuck Strahl,the Federal Interlocutor for Métis,committed himself to recognizing  MNC President Clément our veterans from the start of our meaningful and Chartier speaks at Juno Beach productive relationship with him.His being here today to Remembrance Day ceremony. stand with our heroes is testimony to his commitment. I also wish to thank the Juno Beach Centre for its support and cooperation in making the exhibition possible.  MNC President Clément Chartier and MMF President David Chartrand Making it a permanent part of the First Peoples Hall lay a wreath at Juno Beach memorial. says much of how we all feel about commemorating and celebrating our veterans. On that note,let me conclude by quoting my friend, Minister Strahl,who told leaders of the Métis Nation earlier in the year: “Commemorating the achievements of the Métis veterans is something we should all be committed to: today... tomorrow ....forever.” Thank you;and a special thank you to my fellow Métis citizens who have journeyed here today to help in honoring ourVeterans:brave Métis warriors,one and all. Marsi. 25  NatalieWorthington, Director of the Juno Beach Interpretive Centre

Charlie St.Germaine and MMF youth Christie Lavallee lay wreath at Juno Beach memorial.

26 RememberingVeterans at Juno Beach by HON.CHUCKSTRAHL Minister for IndianAffairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-status Indians

eing at France's Juno Beach on Remembrance Day 2009 was nothing like theAllied assault on B Juno Beach of 1944.On this day,the sun was shining,the surf and the seagulls were the only noises at the water's edge,and the welcome mat was out for any and all Canadians.The 1944 reality was apparently closer to the opening scene from the movie Saving Private Ryan. Veterans don't like to watch that movie. The ten or so veterans I was with on November 11th were Métis,there as guests of the Métis National Council.We were at Juno Beach to unveil a tribute to the thousands of Métis who had volunteered,fought and proudly served alongside other Canadians in the war. Of course,we were also there to remember and honour the many,many soldiers (and in the case of the veterans, friends and countrymen) who never returned to Canada, but lay beneath French soil in immaculately-kept gravesites, row on row. It was my first visit to Juno.We drove out from Paris on Remembrance Day morning,stopping first to lay a wreath at the Bretteville-sur Laize CanadianWar Cemetery,where 2,793 Canadian soldiers lie buried.We were escorted around the site by one of the local mayors, who spoke reverently of Canada's sacrifice some 65 years ago.“Look at their ages”,he kept saying,as we looked at the tombstones. “So young.So young”.We stopped by one grave marker that the mayor singled out.It showed the age as 16 years old.“He was actually only 15 years and 9 months old”,said the mayor,who seemed to know every detail of Canada's sacrifice.“He lied about his age  (left) Minister Strahl with Deb Strahl.(right) Minister Strahl speaks to join up.He was the youngestAllied soldier killed”. with Francis Godon. We left the cemetery and joined the veterans for lunch  Minister Chuck Strahl speaks at the Juno Beach Remembrance Day at a Juno Beach restaurant.There was lots of laughter and ceremony. tears too as the emotional rollercoaster continued for us all.The veteran sitting across from me had joined the service at 14 years old,and was only 19 when he stormed ashore.I sat beside“Francis”,who was dressed in his originalWWII uniform.Captured shortly after landing, he spent the next 11 months as a POW.“It was horrible”, he said,“but it's down at the beach where I have the worst memories.I don't like to go to the beach.It brings back the nightmares”. After lunch we had time to stop at the Beny-sur-Mer CanadianWar Cemetery where another 2,049 soldiers are buried.More local mayors were waiting to show us

continued page 29 27  Charlie St.Germaine,Edmond Gagne,Leo Goulet,Donn Fowler,Joseph Gagnon,Oscar Lacombe and Jim Loutitt.

28 The Canadian Cemetery at Beny-Sur-Mer, France  Edmond Gagne,Joseph Gagnon,Francis Godon,Charlie St.Gemaine & Howard Dickenson

from page 27

around,and a police escort was there,too.Deep respect for and positive man.He didn't talk about the war a lot. Canada was evident everywhere.My Assistant Deputy Minister Our final visit that day was with the mayor of Caen,the local Fred Caron was with me (he is still involved in the military as a town- about Chilliwack's size- that was basically obliterated Honourary Colonel with the Canadian Grenadier Guards,and during the war.By now it was late in the day,but the mayor he was in full dress uniform) as we laid another wreath at the stayed and waited in order to show us around one of the few memorial.While I searched out and paid tribute to the soldiers buildings that survived the war,a former monastery that was from Chilliwack buried there,Colonel Caron wandered off from now his city hall. the delegation to lay wreaths at the tombstones of several The mayor was a gracious host,and made sure our delegation members from his own Regiment. He also stopped,I noticed, understood the gratitude his countrymen felt towards Canada. to salute the graves where brave Grenadiers were interred;one Again,it was humbling to think that 65 years after the war,our soldier honouring another. veterans were still being revered.In the Council chambers at Back to the beach we went where the ceremonies would Caen,a Canadian flag flies beside France's flag.They haven't took place only 100 meters or so from the high tide mark.By forgotten the sacrifice of the thousands of soldiers who liberated now there were 7-8 mayors in attendance,a representative of the their city. French government,our own Ambassador,with many locals and The trip to Juno was the first time since I was elected in 1993 visitors in the crowd.One of the veterans- his hands shaking but that I missed Remembrance Day ceremonies in my own electoral his voice strong- closed the speeches by reading out the famous, district.Part of me was worried that by leaving my own riding on 'they shall not grow old as we grow old ...we will remember that day,I wouldn't be there to pay tribute to our local veterans. them”.Dozens of wreaths and flower sprays were laid.The In retrospect,for this one day,being overseas with our veterans to veterans,the Métis,and the French certainly remember as did honour them at the scene of their sacrifice was the right thing to the entire crowd. do.To say the least,it made a lasting impression on me. We cut the ribbon on a Métis exhibit in the Juno Center, God willing,next year I will honour our veterans on then Deb and I took a moment to find her Uncle Merle's name Remembrance Day at a local cenotaph.And when I do,I’ll on the memorial plaques outside.Merle had survived landing on remember the veterans I met in France and the commitment of the beach,but had been seriously injured taking out a the French people to never forget their sacrifice.For me the machinegun nest in the days that followed. He lived,but only significance of the ceremony will be a little greater and my one of his arms was ever functional,the machinegun bullet emotions that much closer to the surface. having smashed his other elbow beyond repair. He enjoyed a “At the going down of the sun and in the morning,we will good long life back in Canada,and I remember him as a cheerful remember them.”

29 30  Oscar Lacombe, KoreanVeteran  Marc Lortie,Canadian Ambassador to France

31  Grand Chief Ron Evans,Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and Francis Godon

 Ed Charrier and Donn Fowler  Alex Maurice and George Raymond

32  Métis National Council President Clément Chartier and the Hon.Chuck Strahl cut the ribbon opening the Métis exhibit at the Juno Beach Centre.

MÉTIS EXHIBIT

Juno Beach Centre

I started building carts in 2001 while I was the entertainment coordinator for the St.Norbert Métis Local. At the time,nobody knew how to build a working Red River cart  MMF President David Chartrand explains significance of the Red River Cart to Marc Lortie,Canada’s and,with the help of elders and Ambassador to France,and Minister Chuck Strahl. much research,we came up with a working blueprint. I was most recently honoured to be invited to take part in the construction of the Red River cart to be set up at the Juno Beach Museum's MétisVeterans Exhibit in Courseille-sur-mer France.It was an amazing cultural experience,one I will not soon  Red River cart builders:Orille Haugan,Armand Jerome and Fabian LeClair forget. –Armand Jerome

 MNC President Chartier and 33 Minister Strahl.  The Métis Exhibit unveiled November 2009 at the Juno Beach Interpretive Centre.

350 Sparks St.,Suite 201,,ON K1R 7S8 Tel:(613) 232-3216 or (800) 928-6330 www.metisnation.ca

34 Photo Credits:Metis Nation of Alberta,Clement Chartier,GregTaylor & Ian Horner