DAAG co-chair receives Aboriginal Veteran Millennium Medal

Base Commander Capt(N) J. Jeffrey Hutchinson (right) presents Petty Officer First Class (PO1) Steve Morrison with the Aboriginal Veteran Millennium Medal on Nov. 8. Photo: Rodney Venis, Public Affairs.

Lookout Staff

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Base Commander Capt(N) J. Jeffrey Hutchinson presented Petty Officer First Class (PO1) Steve Morrison with the Aboriginal Veteran Millennium Medal during a CFB Esquimalt ceremony on Nov. 8, National Indigenous Veterans Day.

PO1 Morrison said receiving the medal was a proud moment for him and those who came before him.

“This medal is also for my aunts and uncles who were residential school survivors who stepped forward to serve in the Second World War,” he said. “They were Metis and they had to hide who they were so this [medal] is for all of us – all our ancestors who have gone before and those who are serving now.”

The Medal is awarded to Aboriginal Veterans in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the Merchant Navy, and those who joined the US Forces in either peacetime or wartime, who served before 2000, and to Aboriginal members who were serving during 2000. The medal may be awarded posthumously.

PO1 Morrison is also the National Military Co-chair of the Defence Aboriginal Advisory Group (DAAG). The group advises senior leadership, including the Minister of National Defence, on Employment Equity issues affecting Indigenous members and employees of the Department of National Defence/CAF.

“The DAAG is the voice to leadership of the Indigenous members of the CAF as well as Indigenous DND and PSP employees,” he said.

PO1 Morrison said he is proud to be the elected National Military Co-Chair and work alongside Stanley Mercrdi, his Civilian Co-Chair.

The Aboriginal Veteran Millennium Medal was created in 2000 to commemorate those Aboriginals who risked their lives and made sacrifices in the fight for freedom and democracy. The medal recognizes that the recipient is carrying on the tradition of service to Canada.

The medal should be worn on the right side with the red stripe on the ribbon to the inside (closest to the heart). The medal may be worn by CAF personnel according to CAF Dress Regulations.

“The CAF has come a long way in improving its relationship with Indigenous people. There is still a lot of work to do but I’m proud to be a part of the Defence Aboriginal Advisory Group that is helping.”

– Petty Officer First Class (PO1) Steve Morrison