George, Ron: my Native American Veterans Association recollections (May 28, 2007)
ABSTRACT: Ron George Ron George.mp3 0:00 Travelled to Europe in 1990 with aboriginal veterans as part of pilgrimage Travelled along Maple Leaf Route. Got involved when was president of UNN. Discusses uncles' treatment on return from war. 4:00 1976 organization became United Native Nations. Ron became president of UNN in 1985. Started NAVA BC chapter. 45th anniversary of D Day was coming up and so we decided to go to Europe. Had BC acknowledge aboriginal vets Remembrance Day (1988 Vancouver). 5:00 Lobbying by 1988 to have Aboriginal Veterans recognized nationally. Veterans Affairs avoids responsibility for involuntary enfranchisement Status was denied and benefits were denied but it was not in any one consistent manner. 7:00 Read into Bill C31 Standing Committee hearings Indian Agents had "Brown Book" evidence Listed 17 different ways that a status Indian could be involuntarily enfranchised. 9:00 Parliamentary standing committee, Senator Leonard Marchand came up with process to listen to all these stories. 2003 came up with cash settlement for Status Indians only. Non-status and Metis went through process for nothing. 11:00 Landing in Normandy on D Day. John Tony was 16 when he went over (lied about his age.) Talked about hunting enemy like hunting deer. Captured 20 at a time. Tells story about why he wasn't decorated. 14:00 On parade on D Day in Cannes France 1990. 15:00 The morning of D Day Anniversary Lists which aboriginal vets who landed on the beach on D Day who travelled with this trip. 21:00 As president of Native Council of Canada President NOV 11 1991. Laid wreath in Ottawa with Aboriginal Veterans. Vets officially recognized federally. 22:00 Discusses Aboriginal veteran monument in Ottawa. Result of senate committee on aboriginal vets with Leonard Marchand. 23:00 Discusses closeness of Japanese and aboriginal Veterans 25:00 Discusses urban potlatch in Vancouver that helped honour aboriginal vets. Ken Harris, Simon Baker, Bob George were in attendance. 30:00 Discusses Ovide Mercredi's statements towards veterans on Nov 11 1991 36:00 Discusses Veterans story telling on trip to Europe. Gil Cardinal came for small part of trip on behalf of the NFB Some footage was used in Loretta Todd's Film 'Forgotten Warriors'. 41:26 End recording.
An interview/narrative of Ron George's experiences whilst serving with the Native American Veterans Association. Interview took place on May 28, 2007.
Interviewer: Wood, Jessica D.
Interviewee: George, Ron
- In Collection:
- 1 sound recording (MP3)
- 35.68536, 139.75309
- Original recording (MP3 and WAV) on digital versatile disc (DVD) in Special Collections.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- GR_476
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/military-oral-history-collection
- May 28, 2007
- Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 16 kHz. In .mp3 format at 64 kbps and 22 kHz. Digitized by interviewer, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2007. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
- Rights
- This interview has been posted with the understanding that it may be used for research purposes only. Should the interviewee or their heirs have any objections to this interview being accessible on the Internet, it will be removed promptly. Contact UVic Special Collections for permission if using for other than research purposes: speccoll@uvic.ca
- DOI
