Belgium Honours Indigenous WWI Veterans in Moving Ceremony
A century after the end of World War I, Belgium has finally held a special ceremony to honour the Indigenous soldiers who fought alongside its troops during the conflict.
The ceremony, which was held at the Royal Military Academy in Brussels on 11 November 2018, was attended by representatives from the Belgian government, the Indigenous community, and the diplomatic corps.
During the ceremony, a plaque was unveiled to commemorate the Indigenous soldiers who fought in WWI. The plaque bears the names of the 11 Indigenous soldiers who died during the war, as well as the names of the 13 Indigenous soldiers who were awarded the Belgian Croix de Guerre for their bravery.
The ceremony was a moving tribute to the Indigenous soldiers who fought in WWI. It was also a reminder of the important role that Indigenous peoples have played in the history of Belgium.
Background
Indigenous peoples have a long history of serving in the Belgian military. In fact, the first Indigenous soldier to serve in the Belgian army was a Mohawk warrior named Joseph Brant. Brant fought in the War of 1812 and was awarded the Belgian Croix de Guerre for his bravery.
During WWI, over 1,000 Indigenous soldiers from Canada, the United States, and New Zealand fought alongside Belgian troops. These soldiers fought in some of the war's most famous battles, including the Battle of Ypres and the Battle of the Somme.
The Ceremony
The ceremony to honour the Indigenous WWI veterans was held at the Royal Military Academy in Brussels on 11 November 2018. The ceremony was attended by representatives from the Belgian government, the Indigenous community, and the diplomatic corps.
During the ceremony, a plaque was unveiled to commemorate the Indigenous soldiers who fought in WWI. The plaque bears the names of the 11 Indigenous soldiers who died during the war, as well as the names of the 13 Indigenous soldiers who were awarded the Belgian Croix de Guerre for their bravery.
The ceremony was a moving tribute to the Indigenous soldiers who fought in WWI. It was also a reminder of the important role that Indigenous peoples have played in the history of Belgium.
Significance of the Ceremony
The ceremony to honour the Indigenous WWI veterans was a significant event for several reasons.
- It was the first time that Belgium had officially recognized the contributions of Indigenous soldiers to the war effort.
- It helped to raise awareness of the role that Indigenous peoples have played in Belgian history.
- It served as a reminder of the importance of reconciliation and cooperation between Indigenous peoples and non-Indigenous peoples.
The ceremony was a fitting tribute to the Indigenous soldiers who fought in WWI. It was also a reminder of the important role that Indigenous peoples have played in the history of Belgium.
