Today is Indigenous Veterans' Day in Canada, and the event was marked this morning at Long Plain First Nation's cenotaph.

Despite cold temperatures, many Long Plain residents were there, including students from Long Plain School.

They were joined by Jonathan J. Prince, who's a veteran of Operation Desert Storm. He was part of the 60s scoop, and was adopted in the United States, then served in the American military.

Jonathan J. Prince"After I got out, I found my home at Long Plain," he says, "I met a lot of World War II veterans, and a lot of veterans that found this place very special, they accepted me, so a lot of respect for the guys that served before me."

RCAF Lieutenant-Colonel Lonnie Fleischhacker, from 17 Wing in Winnipeg laid a wreath at the cenotaph, and calls the ceremony important.

"These ceremonies are happening from coast to coast," he says, "And to be able to be part of one is extremely special for me. This is the

Lieutenant-Colonel Lonnie Fleischhacker first time that I've been able to participate in an aboriginal veterans' day ceremony -- extremely honoured."

Members of the Manitoba First Nations Police Service were part of the honour guard, and Chief Rick Head says they have a close connection with the vets.

"We've been here many, many years, standing at attention with the vets," he says, "Happy to serve with them. Many of them have also served in the police service, and we'll continue to be here every year to support them.

Chief Rick Head

Long Plain Chief Dennis Meeches is pleased the students were part of the ceremony, and feels it's important they do that.

Long Plain Chief Dennis Meeches"Because a lot of their relatives served with Canada," he says, "So they have a special connection, and special bond to that, and it's very important for them to participate in a ceremony such as this, acknowledging our veterans."

Here are more pictures from the ceremony, followed by a submission.