THE CANADIAN INDIAN SNIPERS AND WORLD WAR 1

Historically, relations between Indigenous Indians and the non-native Canadian State have shifted significantly from cooperation to confrontation marked by open conflicts and discords. The Great War in Canadian annals marks the golden period where both indigenous people and their colonizers buried their differences and converged on the platform of a common national identity. National records show Canadian natives showed up in great numbers to voluntarily enlist for the Great War. Though their size in terms of the total conscripts in the combat force was small, their valor and strategic wars skills made up for the lacking numbers and contributed immensely to the success of Canadian troops. Indians soldiers including snipers like Lance-Corporal Norwest, Francis Pegahmagabow, Philip McDonald, Riel, Ballendine and many more have been honoured by Canadian establishment for their exemplary courage and contribution to the war fighting. This paper attempts to explore the history of Canadian Indian Snipers and their contributions to WW1. It will also delve into how Indians participation in the War led to better acceptance of Indians in Canadian society.