Despite Pandemic Métis Nation Takes Time to Honour World War II Veteran

HAMILTON, ON, May 11, 2020 /CNW/ - WWII Métis Veteran Marie Knight received thanks from the Métis Nation and a $20,000 Recognition Payment and an apology from Canada in Hamilton, Ontario.  The Recognition Payment is part of the Métis Veterans Legacy Program established in partnership with the Trudeau government to commemorate forgotten Métis soldiers.   Veteran Knight is the 22^nd WWII Métis Veteran to receive a Recognition Payment as part of the Legacy Program. 

Métis Nation Minister responsible for Veterans David Chartrand was prevented from presenting the Recognition Payment in person due to the global wide practice of  COVID-19 social distancing.  However, a small presentation ceremony was held in her home, where she lives with her daughter.

'As we reflect on the recent 75^th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands and all of Europe, it is even more significant and a true privilege to present this Recognition Payment to Métis  Veteran Marie Knight to honour and to acknowledge her service to all Canadians. Our debt to Veterans like Marie will never end. We will never forget.' stated Minister Chartrand. 

On September 10, 2019, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued an apology for the injustices Métis Veterans faced upon returning home to Canada.  The Métis Nation and Prime Minister Trudeau committed to Recognition Payments being issued to every surviving WWII Métis Veteran to further reconciliation and acknowledge the negligent treatment by Canada that affected the Métis Community.

Veteran Marie Knight was born March 26th, 1922 in Shand, Saskatchewan.  Seventy-eight years ago, at the age of 20, Marie left her small prairie town and joined the army.  In November 1942 Marie worked as the secretary to Major Ramsay at the Radar Training Centre in Berryfield/Kingston until June 1946.     

After her service she returned to Estevan Saskatchewan and worked at the notorious Weyburn Mental Hospital where she met her husband, Kenneth.  The family moved to Ontario in 1965 where Marie worked for the Halton Regional Health Unit until retirement.  Marie has 4 daughters, 21 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren.  Sadly, she recently lost her husband in 2019. 

The MNC represents the Métis Nation in Canada at the national and international levels. The Métis Nation's homeland includes the 3 Prairie Provinces and extends into the contiguous parts of British Columbia, Ontario, the Northwest Territories and the United States. There are approximately 400,000 Métis Nation citizens in Canada, roughly a quarter of all Aboriginal peoples in the country.

SOURCE Métis National Council