By Cheryl Jahn

A tea for special vets

Nov 8, 2023 | 4:45 PM

*correction: The original version of this story stated First Nations were banned from enlisting during WWII. That was incorrect.We apologize for the mistake and like everyone else, celebrate the contributions of all First Nations that served during the WWII.*

VANDERHOOF – It is a celebration of bravery. A young man at the tender age of 22 opted to join so many men and women heading to battle. World War Two. 1939.

Thousands of First Nations enlisted in an effort to protect the land he held so dear during the Second World War. Sixteen of those thousands were from Saikuz.

Arlene John remembers the families’ feelings when their young men went to war.

“Scary, I guess, like every other family. But he volunteered, I guess like everybody else he made for his age to volunteer. And there’s a lot of people, a lot of natives from each reserve that was involved as well. You know, I commend them all, really. I think of them what they did for Canada.”

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Today’s tea is a first for the community of Vanderhoof and Saikuz.

“He’s a war hero, he’s one of our war heroes. And I thought and some people had never heard of him because I’m new to town,” says Sharon Bennett, President of the Nechako Valley Historical Society. “Okay, let’s do this. And we can remember Dick Patrick and the other veterans.”

“In the high schools, actually, throughout elementary school, up to the high school age, they always shared the story of Dick Patrick,” says Iria Pavon, Administrator of the Vanderhoof Cultural Centre. “So it’s already somebody that I already knew. But we wanted to basically close this event to be able to bring both communities together. Dick Patrick was definitely, you know, a war hero.”

And Arlene remembers the stories her brother told about his time on the fronts.

“I was growing up. I used to always question that. He just told me about Sicily, Germany but he always mentioned Sicily. So, I mean, a lot of times we sat down to talk to me. He told me to be strong.”

And for the community, it is an important part of recognizing the efforts of those who went so far to protect those close to home.

“I guess like everybody else he made for his age to volunteer at school. And there’s a lot of people, a lot of natives from each reserve that’s involved as well. You know, I commend them all, really. I think of them what they did for Canada.”

During his time, he was awarded the Military Medal for gallant and distinguished conduct. Even after his sacrifice and commendation, when Patrick returned to Canada in 1946, he faced racism and discrimination.

Arlene says that on Remembrance Day, she hopes people acknowledge and appreciate the sacrifice people like her brother made, despite the treatment they received in Canada.