Forgotten Warriors: The Story of Canada's Aboriginal War Veterans 1996
Distributed by National Film Board of Canada, 1123 Broadway, Suite 307, New York, NY 10010; 800-542-2164
Produced by the National Film Board of Canada
Directed by Loretta Todd
VHS, color, 51 min.
High School - Adult
History
Date Entered: 11/09/2018
Reviewed by Michael J. Coffta, Business Librarian, Bloomsburg University of PennsylvaniaThough they could not be conscripted, thousands of Aboriginal Canadian men and women enlisted to fight Nazi aggression. This documentary offers first hand war stories from Aboriginal Canadian war heroes. Many died and were buried overseas. Many received medals. Upon their return, however, many found that their much of their land had been seized to compensate other World War II veterans. The Canadian Soldier Veterans' Land Act then allowed veterans to buy land at cheap prices, but legal disputes against treaty-bound Aboriginal Canadians left a great deal of these veterans empty handed.
This video offers many stirring stories of World War II from the Aboriginal Canadians' soldiers perspectives that have great historical significance. These veterans speak frankly and at length. Though recommended, this film contains several poorly made cut- scenes of an Aboriginal Canadian actor dramatizing a few of the stories. The focus of the film would have been better served by excluding these acting scenes.