Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Mr. Chair, honourable members of this committee, fellow veterans, and ladies and gentlemen, I thank the Creator, first of all, for the opportunity to be here on behalf of our aboriginal veterans. I also wish to acknowledge that we are meeting today on non-ceded Algonquin territory.
I am Robert Thibeau, president of the Aboriginal Veterans Autochtones. We are an organization that is recognized throughout North America, and our membership includes allied aboriginal veterans. The AVA is a young organization, which has a three-stage mission.
The first is to advocate: to advise and provide support to all aboriginal veterans and their families regarding all issues pertaining to veterans' needs and rights; to advocate for and provide support on behalf of aboriginal serving members.
The second is community service: to promote, engage in, and provide support to the community by encouraging contributions to our society and to future generations; to provide the most positive influence to our aboriginal communities and youth, by both traditional teachings and strong leadership development through a variety of sources.
The third is remembrance: to honour and perpetuate the memories and outstanding deeds of our fallen comrades who gave their lives to preserve the freedom for all. In honouring those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, we will act at all times with respect and dignity.
Although we are a new organization by name, our members are known and respected in their local communities. We have, in a short period of time, become well known with other veterans organizations from across Canada, and we are still in the process of working with other veterans organizations in North America.
We are veterans, but we are also aboriginals who view our culture as our strength. This is one of the reasons I wear the regalia you see me wearing today. It is my way of displaying the pride I have in my culture, as well as the pride of serving in Canada's military forces. Our expression of culture is evident at the many aboriginal community activities that take place nationwide, and our participation is an example of not only the pride that we have shown to Canada, but the positive influence we give our communities and our future generations.
AVA has secured memorandums of understanding with First Nations Veterans of Canada, which are the veterans under the Assembly of First Nations and the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples. Hand in hand with both of these national organizations, it is our goal to work towards positive results on issues affecting veterans and their families.
Today, I have the honour to also speak on behalf of Chief Percy Joe, president of the First Nations Veterans of Canada.
I must commend this committee on their hard work and their efforts on behalf of the many World War II veterans and Korean War veterans, and their families, as this shows you are beginning to have an understanding of the sacrifices that veterans and their families have endured for many years.
Thank you. Meegwech.