Today, students and staff across the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) mark Remembrance Day and we pause to honour the generations of Canadians who served our country at home and abroad. We also acknowledge that these brave individuals, including many former TDSB students, played an integral role in securing the rights and freedoms we enjoy today.
It is vital that we continue to share these stories of courage and selflessness, and pay tribute to veterans who are often not remembered or relegated to the side. The role of women, Indigenous, Black, Jewish, Muslim, South Asian, East Asian, racialized and 2SLBGTQIA+ soldiers, and all those who hold diverse and intersecting identities need to be remembered too, so that their contributions are not forgotten.
First Nations, Inuit and Métis people of Canada served in every war. Yet, it was only in 1995 that Indigenous soldiers were officially recognized for their service.
Canada has a long history of people making sacrifices to protect rights and freedoms, from both World Wars to more recent missions around the world. By remembering the efforts of all the diverse Canadians who have served our country, we recognize what these courageous people worked to preserve.
We also take this time to recognize all the people, children and families who were and are victims of war. The many impacts of war are often overlooked and must not be forgotten along with the distinguished service of Canadian soldiers. Lest we forget.