Indigenous veterans in a settler colonial system: William John Pratt,’ William John ‘Indigenous Veterans of the First World War and their Families in the Prairie West’, Canadian Military History, 32, 1, 2023, pp. 1-16 | settler colonial studies blog

Indigenous veterans in a settler colonial system: William John Pratt,’ William John ‘Indigenous Veterans of the First World War and their Families in the Prairie West’, Canadian Military History, 32, 1, 2023, pp. 1-16

30May23

Abstract: This study of forty-five military pension files of Indigenous First World War veterans of the Treaty 4, 6 and 7 regions shows that the racist perspectives and structures of settler colonialism on the Prairies could prevent just administration of benefits. Pension files of Indigenous veterans expose the tragedy of their lives during and after the First World War. Many soldiers had lingering pains and ailments as a result of the war, as well as continuing problems shaking the gaze of settler colonialism, which seemed unable to view them as both Indigenous and veterans. Despite the numerous legal and cultural obstacles to being treated equally to other veterans, many Indigenous men and their families were paid pensions, which were valuable, especially during the hardships on First Nations reserves in the interwar years.

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