Winnipeg Military Base Hosts First Indigenous Gathering

When Justin Woodcock served in the Canadian Armed Forces for 10 years, he never had access to sweat lodge ceremonies or traditional cultural practices that could have helped him feel whole. This week, he helped make sure current Indigenous service members won't face that same gap.

Canadian Forces Base Winnipeg hosted its first Indigenous Reconciliation Gathering on June 20, bringing together active military personnel, veterans, Indigenous organizations, and community leaders. The event, held ahead of National Indigenous Peoples Day, marked a new chapter in how the armed forces support Indigenous members.

The Southern Chiefs' Organization, Manitoba Métis Federation, and Manitoba Inuit Association partnered with 17 Wing Winnipeg to create the historic gathering. More than 200 volunteers spent two years planning an event designed to do more than just talk about reconciliation.

"We want to move away from words," said Lt. Col. Joshua Van Tine, deputy commander of 17 Wing Winnipeg. "Everybody talks about reconciliation, but actions are harder to find."

The gathering celebrated the 100th anniversary of 17 Wing Winnipeg while recognizing something equally important: the dual identity of Indigenous military members. For many attendees, the event brought together two core parts of who they are.

"It's really meaningful for the Indigenous service members and veterans in attendance as this event really brings together two pieces of their identity," said Woodcock, now program chief with the Southern Chiefs' Organization. He emphasized that when service members feel comfortable with their full identity on base, they become more effective at their jobs.

The event was originally scheduled for June 2025 but was postponed when wildfires forced evacuations across the region. Organizers decided it would be inappropriate to celebrate while communities faced emergency evacuations.

The Ripple Effect

The gathering goes beyond supporting Indigenous military personnel. It introduces non-Indigenous service members to Indigenous cultures and traditions, building understanding across the entire armed forces community.

"My hope is that people will take away that deeper cultural understanding," Van Tine said. The event also acknowledges the history of discrimination Indigenous people faced in the military while building stronger relationships for the future.

Grand Chief Jerry Daniels of the Southern Chiefs' Organization summed up the gathering's purpose: "Reconciliation requires us to gather, to listen, to learn, to act, to build awareness, empathy and respect."

The first of its kind at CFB Winnipeg, this gathering shows how reconciliation moves from words to meaningful action when military and Indigenous communities work together.