Clark, Ernest: my Militia recollections (November 19, and 23, 2005)
Rank: Lance Corporal.
ABSTRACT: Lance Corporal Ernest Clark Interview with Ernest Clark, Coast Salish Aboriginal Veteran. Was mandatory for all youth in Junior High School to join Cadets. Went to school in Chilliwack. Lived on farm. Then went to militia. Stationed at Abbotsford airport. Trained at Camp Wainright, Alberta (aka: the swamps). Followed by Camp Borden, Ontario. Tried to follow in father's footsteps and join underage, but was caught. Father used name of deceased individual to join underage. Family never discussed military service, topic was taboo. Father revealed identity 50 years later and was reunited with family, previously listed as MIA. Ernest's sister also served in WWII. Ernest was once president of Aboriginal Veterans Association. Has worked as Director of Human Rights Coalition, Race Relations, Vancouver Island Memorial Society and the BC Memorial Society. Involved in Save On Foods Centre Memorial Wall Committee. This year (2005) presented Lieutenant Governor Iona Campagnolo with beaded aboriginal poppy to start off remembrance week. Was chairman of memorial committee for cenotaph in Langford. University Of Victoria Alumni. Certificate in the Administration of Aboriginal Government. (May 1992) Was featured in President's Annual Report. Also attended First Nations Tribal Justice Institute. Discusses family History of Sumas First Nation. Discusses Great Grandmother Indian Princess Mary Shishofka. Discusses how mother protected her children from attending Residential School by relocating them to Victoria. 000 - Started with cubs and scouts 015 - Standing orders for driving truck and tanks 026 - Military family history 034 - Father enlisting underage under other man's name 057 - Father enlisted because brothers had enlisted 100 - Veterans Memorial Wall at Save On Foods Centre 142 - Graduated UVic 1992 190 - Discussion of Coast Salish Territory 250 - WWII Vets from his reserve: Kenneth Ned, Fred Kelly, Ed Kelly, Ernie Eggery (sp?) 275 - Mother relocated family to Victoria to avoid children going into residential school 300 - Memories of travelling with Militia 400 - Side A ends 000 - Memories of graduating from UVic as Aboriginal Class 030 - discussion of employment history after military 050 - discussion of racism 100 - First Nations cleansing ceremony at Police academy 165 - End Tape. (Second Interview) Interview with Ernest Clark, Coast Salish Aboriginal Veteran. Found first trip to Camp Borden quite traumatic. Used to travel to US for Winter ceremonies (banned in Canada.) Mandatory to belong to Cadets in Grad 7,8,9. Hard discipline. Family ran farm. Did basic training in Abbotsford. 001 - Leaving reserve traumatic to go Camp Borden 010 - Travelled to US to berry pick, hop pick and attend longhouse 020 - Cadets at school 035 - Impact of having very small world, don't travel. 50 miles to Vancouver, never travelled before 040 - Farm Life 050 - Did basic training in Abbotsford 065 - Describes troubled Sergeant 075 - Discusses silence of family members about military service 100 - Forged dad signature on enlistment papers 160 - Didn't know about benefits for dependants of veterans 191 - Ocean Pointe pole raising with Prince Edward 335 - End Tape Side A
Interviewer: Wood, Jessica
An interview/narrative of Lance Corporal Ernest Clark's experiences whilst serving in the Militia. Interview took place on November 19 and 23, 2005.
Interviewee: Clark, Ernest
- In Collection:
- 3 sound recordings (MP3)
- 48.4359, -123.35155
- Original sound recording on audio cassette also available.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- CE_540
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/military-oral-history-collection
- August 20, 2012
- Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 44 kHz. In .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 24 kHz. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2012. 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
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