Indigenous Veterans day

08-11-2025 | 13:30 - 15:30 | Overige

Indigenous Veterans Day is celebrated every year on 8 November in Canada to honour Indigenous veterans who served in the World Wars, the Korean War and other military missions. The day was created because the significant contribution of Indigenous soldiers was often ignored. It is a day of respect for Indigenous peoples, of awareness of colonial inequality, and of recognition of the role of Indigenous soldiers.

To celebrate this day, the Freedom Museum is screening the documentary Storypole, a beautiful film that reveals the story behind the tallest totem pole in the world. Although the totem pole—which is 40 metres high—tells many stories, it also serves as a tribute to Indigenous soldiers. The film explores the important role these soldiers played in Europe and the contacts with the Netherlands that resulted from their participation in the liberation of the Netherlands. The film was made possible thanks to the intensive cooperation of indigenous stakeholders.

Programme

Doors open at 1 p.m. and the programme starts at 1.30 p.m. with an introduction, followed by a guided tour of the Indigenous Liberators exhibition by Dr Mathilde Roza, a short break, and a screening of the film Storypole. Afterwards, there will be time to ask questions and/or view the exhibition again at your leisure. The guided tour will be in Dutch and the documentary is English. 

Tickets are available here.