Work program produces unforgettable one hour documentary

Students with the File Hills Employment and Training Centre Active Measures “Way2Work” program have used their studies to remember a group of people who are often overlooked.

The 12 students worked with Mark Dieter, a produced playwright and director from the Peepeekisis First Nation, but perhaps best known for his portrayal of Corner Gas’s hotel bartender Paul Kinistino. Dieter developed the idea for a documentary on First Nations Korean War veterans in the community.

“We thought he (had) a terrific idea and we just went from there,” said instructor Sharon Geroux.

The FHETC partnered with the File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council’s Health Unit – FHQ Applied Arts research project to mentor and support their Way2Work student production of a one-hour video.

As part of the skills development component of their training, students did extensive background research. They watched films and documentaries about the Korean War, read the diaries of young adults experiences of Canadian wars and from discussions that resulted, prepared interview questions. They learned elements of set design, direction, scoring, videography, costuming, and production (including scouting locations).

“I told the actors where to go and how to position themselves. That was my official first time as a director,” said student Michael Morin.

The heart of the one-hour video Forgotten Soldiers is interviews with Tony Cote, Tom Desnomie and Richard “Barney” Desnomie, who recount their experiences as young First Nations soldiers in the Korean War. The war began in 1950 when North Korea invaded South Korea. South Korea was supported by the United Nations, including Canada who supplied World War II veterans and new recruits.

Cote, RCAF, 81st Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery, said many First Nations people enlisted in the distant war because they, like Cote, had family and friends who were veterans of the World Wars. The armed forces offered the chance to discover the world, to get training and to enjoy freedoms that were still heavily constrained by Indian agents and discriminatory government policies, including the freedom to make choices about mobility and economic activity.

Although most treaties, including Treaty 4, ruled out the conscription of First Nations people, many Aboriginals chose to enlist in both World Wars and the Korean War.
“Being Native people, this land was our land. We were willing to do anything to protect it,” said Tom Desnomie in the documentary.

The Korean War is often referred to as “The Forgotten War,” overshadowed by World War II and mischaracterized as a Cold War “peacekeeping” mission.
First Nation Korean vets came home to find the camaraderie and equality of brothers-in-arms that they experienced in the armed forces would not extend to civilian life.  The support, recognition, and benefits afforded to non-Aboriginal veterans was often denied First Nations soldiers or disproportionately meted out. The sobriquet “Forgotten Soldiers” associated with veterans of the Korean War holds especially true for Indian soldiers.

Featuring historical footage, photographs and re-enactments by students and their families, the video skillfully evokes the complex emotions stirred by war. It’s clear as the film ends with the Black Lodge Singers performance of a traditional drum and voice tribute ”Soldier Boy,” though these soldiers grow old and pass on, what they have experienced and shared will not be forgotten.

There is new hope in the video created by the Way2Work students. Important stories are now shared and preserved in a polished and moving video created by the descendants of these forgotten warriors. Just as importantly, a pathway to artistic success and cultural pride has been illuminated by the efforts of the Way2Work graduating class of 2011.

Active Measures is a 10-month long program run by FHETC in conjunction with the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies. The goal of Active Measures is to provide pre-employment training and other support to Aboriginal peoples to move them from poverty and dependence on social assistance. The program is a federal initiative of Aboriginal Northern Affairs Canada and is supported by the Saskatchewan provincial government, five tribal councils and various partners in education and health organizations.