N.B. filmmakers premiere documentary on experiences of Indigenous veterans of 20th century wars - Action News
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New Brunswick

N.B. filmmakers premiere documentary on experiences of Indigenous veterans of 20th century wars

New Brunswick filmmakers Desmond Simon and Nate Gaffney's new documentary, Indian Braves, explores the experiences of Indigenous military members during and after the First World War, Second World War and the Korean war.

Indian Braves explores why some Indigenous veterans chose to serve, and what they came home to

A line up of men, some in military garb, shoot rifles in the air while standing outside near a cemetery. A small group of onlookers is in the distant background.
A ceremony in Kawacatoose First Nation, in Saskatachewan, following the placement of headstones honouring Indigenous veterans. (CBC)

Desmond Simon of Frederictonsaid he was first approached about making a film on Indigenous veterans as an Indigenous filmmaker who is also a military veteran himself.

His latest documentary with co-director Nate Gaffney, Indian Braves,explores the experiences of Indigenous military members during and after the First World War, the Second World Warand the Korean War.

"There was a brotherhood in the military that didn't get stuck on the colour of your skin and it was all about service and in fighting this war," Gaffney said, to CBC'sInformation Morning.

"That didn't continue to transcend when they returned home and they were promised land that they never received, and they were given land that they already owned."

A man with short dark hair parted in the middle and a short dark moustache stands proudly in a grey suit over a light purple dress shirt and maroon tie. He has a series of military medals and pins on his left lapel.
Floyd Powder, a volunteer researcher with the Indigenous Veterans Initiative and a veteran himself, helps research the graves of Indigenous veterans in Behchok First Nation, just outside Yellowknife, and the surrounding area. (CBC)

According to Simon, there is a lot to be learned in the film, but not many parts of it were surprising to him, having grown up in Elsipogtog First Nation.

"The stories that are being told now, that are the dark stories, it's not like they were secrets," he said. "People knew them in the community, but I think now with the way times are changing, like Indigenous people have a voice and I think it's important to tell our stories," said Simon.

Despite traumatic experiences, Gaffney said the veterans were proud to serve.

"I also see the pride that they carry now a little bit more and that's an important part of the story that it's not all traumatic," said Gaffney. "There's a brotherhood there that these soldiers had and they're very, very proud of their service. And as they should bethey kept us safe."

Gaffney, who is Wolastoqey, said working on the film also deepened his understanding of his own great-grandfather, Charles Paul, who served in the military during the Second World War.

"The title of the film Indian Braves is actually derived from a poem that he wrote called,These Young Indian Braves," Gaffney said.

"He wrote the poem about his comrades in the war and after reading the poem a few times while doing this project, it just became clear that the name Indian Braves was going to be the title of the film. It feels special to be able to repurpose his words in this project."

WATCH | See the full documentary Indian Braves through CBC Gem:

Simon said his own military experience was not really similar to the veterans in the film. He joined the Canadian military straight out of high school in 2013, and retired as a combat engineer in 2021, never having servedin active combat.

"I just really appreciate the times that I had in the military because I don't think I'd be who I am today if I didn't serve," he said.

A young man with short dark hair combed back wearing a dark-coloured suit with Canadian military emblems and a poppy on his left lapel. He is standing outdoors in front of a wooden picnic table, with a brick commercial building in the distant background.
Desmond Simon says he joined the Canadian military in 2013 after graduating from high school. (Submitted by Desmond Simon)

Simon said he had bought a camera while still in the military, contemplating becoming a photographer at one point, but filmmaking won him over in the end.

"When I was on my way out of the military, that's when Nate [Gaffney] and I met and then we just kind of became friends really fast and decided to start a business together," said Simon.

Making Indian Braves took them to filming locations across Canada, including New Brunswick, Ontario, Saskatchewan, and the Northwest Territories. Simon said it has been several years in the making, and he is relieved people will finally get to see it.

Gaffney said while making the documentary, theyspoke with a researcher at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, in addition to veterans and Indigenous people currently in the military.

"Just by spending time with these people, you kind of learn where to take the story next," he said. "And that was very much the process."

Indian Braves, premieredon CBC Gem Friday and will air on CBC TV Saturday at 9 p.m. AT.

With files from Information Morning

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