Veterans' compensation the goal of documentary

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A two-part documentary, entitled "A Debt of Honor," demonstrates how Aboriginal war veterans in Canada were treated compared to their non-Aboriginal comrades of the Second World War.

The documentary, which aired on CTV as part of a series called Indigenous Circle, premiered for veterans on Sept. 21 in Saskatoon. On hand were the show's producers Nelson Bird and Norm Shuttleworth, as well as cameraman Gordon Barnett, all of whom work for CTV. Also at the premiere were several of the veterans featured in the film.

"I'm very pleased with the turnout of the show," said Shuttleworth. "Not only with the content, because obviously it's the content that tells the story, but the production team that put the show together has made the show more compelling to watch."

"A Debt of Honor" followed a group of Aboriginal veterans who fought in Holland in the Second World War and who worked to liberate that country. Because of this, the veterans planned a trip to Holland, not only for a reunion this past summer, but to take part in the annual celebration commemorating the liberation.

Chief Howard Anderson initially invited Nelson Bird to go with them and document the celebrations.

"I invited Nelson, and said 'OK, come along. Let's get some pictures for your show,'" recalled Chief Anderson. "'Talk to some of the people.' We had a meeting with Norm (Shuttleworth,) and he says 'We want to come. Fine,' I said, 'You're invited, but we can't pay for all of you. I'm paying for Nelson, already!' He says 'That's OK, CTV wanted to do it.'"

Nelson Bird, who is also the on-camera host of Indigenous Circle, recalled when he was first approached about making the trip to Holland.

"Howard Anderson, the grand chief of the federation, called me and said 'Nelson, we're going to Holland. Better come with us!'" said Bird.

"I thought, Yeah, right. I can just go to Holland like that!' Well, anyway, I talked to my producer Norm Shuttleworth. I said this would be a great opportunity to for us to help the veterans. The wheels got in motion about six months ago and it just came to be. It happened, and we went."

When Bird accepted the veteran's invitation, the network realized they had an opportunity, not only to honor the veterans, but also help them raise public awareness about disputes that arose after the veterans came back to Canada from war. In fact, seeing the differences first hand in how veterans from the Second World War were treated in their home country compared to their treatment in the nations where they fought is quite the contrast, according to Bird.

"It's a world of difference," he said. "When the veterans are in Holland, and it's not just the First Nation veterans, but all the veterans, they're treated like royalty. When they go over there, they're given food. People shake their hands, everything.

In Canada, one time they're really honored is Remembrance Day and other than that, they're usually forgotten, especially the First Nations' veterans.

"It exceeded my expectations a lot," said Bird.

"For the last few months, I've been writing part one and part two in Regina at my desk. I've been writing. I had 12 hours of footage to work with. It's like putting together a giant jigsaw puzzle without knowing the picture and just throwing everything together and reworking it until you come up with something, and I did that, and finally I got it to the point where it could go to editing. It seems like a big step because I didn't expect it to be this wonderful."

Cameraman Gordon Barnett was also more than satisfied with the results.

"It's more than I expected," said Barnett.

"I saw everything through the viewfinder of a camera, and just saw the moments, moment by moment. I guess the way to compare it, it's like a quilt. I made a lot of little pieces. That's what I saw, but the finished product is like a quilt, the whole thing all put together, and it's nothing like you can even imagine when you're doing a shoot, when you're shooting the individual piees. The production was just incredible, and it really tugs at the emotions when it's all put together."

Norm Shuttleworth felt that the purpose of the two-part special was "to accurately reflect what happened on the veterans' trip, and I suppose, deep in my heart, to help with their struggle for compensation."

The non-Aboriginal war veterans received $6,000 after they came back from the war, yet Aboriginal veterans received $2,500 at the most, and in some cases, nothing at all. Because of this lack of compensation, Chief Anderson has been leading the way for the veterans to get compensation.

"It wouldn't surprise me that somehow the show gets shown to Veterans' Affairs or government representation somewhere, so I hope in some small way, it helps to the resolution of it," Shuttleworth added.

So what would the final message be that the veterans hope to pass on to the federal government? Chief Anderson had no problem of knowing what he would say.

"I'd tell them to think of where the people are, where are the veterans? They've passed away. We're too old. I'm one of the youngest ones and I'm already 76, and I'm one of the youngest vets around here, and that's what's happening. Out of 800, they said on the TV, there's 40 Second World War veterans left, and 19 Korea veterans left. Think of that."