Joseph Gagnon, An Algonquin World War 1 Veteran

​This little 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. It offers a story about Algonquin Anishinaabe veteran Joseph Gagnon who served in WW1. Drawing on my kokomis' (grandmothers') stories, Joseph's attestation paper, and his veterans affairs records, I piece together his life experiencing double racism. First, he was asked to leave his reserve community of Golden Lake because his mother was Algonquin versus his father; 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 copyright free images and family photographs throughout making it available to a broader readership, both Indigenous and settler people. It is suitable for Algonquin, First Nations, family, friends, allies, historical societies; and grade school, college, and  university students.
"Lynn Gehl’s book is an act of remembrance, restoring her great grandfather Joseph Gagnon’s life and service with dignity while confronting Canada’s shameful treatment of Indigenous veterans. It is a story our descendants can carry forward, and a truth Canadians must finally face and reckon with."
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Veteran Wendy Jocko, Former Chief of the Algonquins of Pikwàkanagàn First Nation
 
"Lynn Gehl shares the shameful story of her great-grandfather, Joseph Gagnon who, in exchange for his wartime service and sacrifices, finds himself abandoned in a legal and societal nether-region, stripped of his rights as an Indigenous person and yet denied the rights accorded non-Indigenous veterans. This is an important and impactful story that all Canadians need to know in our journey in understanding the inconceivable injustices that Indigenous people have experienced throughout our nation’s history."
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Ben Weiss, The Historical Society of Ottawa
This book is pubished under my own imprint-- Algonquin Anishinaabe-Kwe Publishing. It is 47 pages and sells for $18.95. It can be purchased at: Click here


Organizations, schools, and teachers interested in purchasing 10 copies or more are encouraged to purchase them directly from me through:  ​https://www.lynngehl.com/contact.html
More about Joseph Gagnon:
https://www.lynngehl.com/joseph-gagnon.html

And more more about the Algonquin Veterans from Pikwakanagan First Nation:
​https://www.lynngehl.com/ww1-algonquin-of-golden-lake.html