Indigenous enlistment Badge of the 107th Battalionīy and large, Indigenous men enlisted at the same percentage as non-Indigenous men but in some communities in even higher numbers. There were government separation allowances to support the families of recruits, but often the money did not reach the people in need or it was insufficient. The wartime industry negatively affected traditional means of livelihood such as hunting and fishing due to low demand at home and overseas. In particular when the veterans returned, the Indigenous men who had taken on jobs were forced out in order to make room for returning veterans. Despite the increase in jobs, many Indigenous communities suffered financial hardships throughout and following the war. Those who remained in Canada were able to find work relatively easily in munitions plants and other war industries, which were considered patriotic contributions. Indigenous communities were also divided over encouraging enlistment, which caused tension. With the absence of such a large number of men, farming, hunting and other jobs fell to the women, children, and elderly within the community. Recruitment of Indigenous peoples had varying impacts on their home communities. Though First Nations were eventually exempt from conscription, the episode bred distrust among Indigenous peoples towards the government and may have led to somewhat lower Indigenous enlistment rates in the Second World War. Note de bas de page 5 The question of Inuit or Métis exemptions from conscription or exemption never arose. Status Indians could still be called to perform non-combat roles in Canada, but the legislation made it easier for them to claim deferrals for industrial or agricultural work. The sustained objection of First Nations people proved successful and on January 17, 1918, an Order-in Council (PC 111) was passed that officially exempted status Indians from combatant duties. Many non-Indigenous peoples publicly supported the exemption of status Indians from conscription. Note de bas de page 3 Conscription was an extremely contentious issue and the Department of Indian Affairs received letters from First Nations demanding an exemption for status Indians. Note de bas de page 2 Some First Nations argued that promises made during treaty negotiations excused them from conscription in foreign wars. The act made no exemption for Treaty Indians, who had expected to be exempt because they did not have the rights of citizenship that obligated Canadian citizens to serve. In August 1917, the Military Service Act instituted conscription, mandatory military service for all British subjects of age to serve. Indian agents held recruiting events on reserves to encourage more First Nations members to enlist. By 1917, the government took a more active role in recruitment as a response to the need for more personnel. In 1915, military and government officials relaxed restrictions, issued formal guidelines and allowed Indigenous recruitment. High casualty rates and the need for more troops led to new policies regarding Indigenous recruits. In the early months of the conflict, Indigenous peoples, eager to volunteer for service, were sometimes turned away, while others were permitted to enlist. Although they were originally discouraged from enlisting, policy would shift during the war to become more accepting of Indigenous enlistment and recruitment. On the eve of the First World War, Canada had no official policy on the recruitment of Indigenous peoples. Recruitment of Indigenous soldiers Blood cadets, St. Post-war experience of Indigenous veterans.Canadian wartime policies on the Homefront.Indigenous soldiers’ experiences during the First World War.Indigenous veterans were not awarded the same benefits as their non-Indigenous counterparts. After returning from service, many Indigenous veterans experienced the same unequal treatment they experienced prior to the war. Footnote 1 Indigenous women were active on the Homefront, contributing to the war effort through fundraising and other means. Many Indigenous peoples distinguished themselves as talented and capable soldiers and at least 50 were awarded medals for bravery and heroism. Hundreds were wounded or lost their lives on foreign battlefields. They served in every major theatre of the war and participated in all of the major battles in which Canadian troops fought. Indigenous soldiers served in units with other Canadians throughout the CEF. Indigenous soldiers served in units with other Canadians throughout the CEF). Métis and Inuit soldiers also enlisted however, only status Indians were officially recorded by the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF). About one third of First Nations people in Canada age 18 to 45 enlisted during the war.
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