Local cadets ensured all veterans including those who overcame barriers to serve were given their due at Brantford’s Thank-A-Vet luncheon.

Thousands of Indigenous men and women chose to fight for Canada despite systemic barriers and often at great personal cost, said Petty Officer Second Class Joshua Ocampo at Saturday’s event.

“Many were forced to surrender their Indigenous status or face exclusion from service,” Ocampo, 15, of the 135 Royal Canadian Sea Cadets Corps Admiral Nelles, said.

Indigenous warriors like Tom Longboat of Six Nations and Francis Pegahmagabow of Parry Sound and Tommy Prince of Petersfield, Manitoba, gave up the comfort of family to fight for this country, he said.

“They endured hardship and discrimination even while wearing the same uniform as their comrades,” O

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