Joseph Gagnon, An Algonquin World War 1 Veteran
|
This little, yet big, book is a must read for people seeking a better understanding of the role Indigenous Peoples held in serving Canada in World War 1, and the racism they faced when they returned from war. It offers a story about Algonquin Anishinaabe veteran Joseph Gagnon who served in WW1.
Drawing from my Kokomis’ stories, Joseph’s attestation papers, and his veterans affairs records, I piece together his life of experiencing double racism. First, he was asked to leave his reserve community of Golden Lake because it was his mother who was Algonquin; and second, he was denied benefits under the Soldier Settlement Act because, again, his mother was Algonquin. As an act of self-determination challenging racism, sexism, and ableism this book is published in large font, with greater white space, and offers several images throughout making it beneficial to a broader readership, both Indigenous and settler people. It is suitable for grade school, college, and university students. |