Tansi.

           On June 6, 1944, in the early hours of the day, the Allied liberation of Western Europe began. Canadian troops landed on the beaches of Normandy. The major Canadian landing beach was code named, Juno. Metis were there, fighting to survive the intense shelling and machine gun fire, mines, boobytraps, disorientation from deafening noise, smoke, physical discomfort, terror, horror, inhumanity. It had to be done. There was no turning back once you left the landing crafts. Storm the beaches, hit the walls and cliffs, get inland before the Bosch counterattacked. No place to rest and no where to hide. The officer's whistles blared; ADVANCE!

            The Longest Day was for some, the shortest. For others, as it's name implies, a day they wished would end. Metis soldiers were in almost every unit that day. The NCOs and Officers who knew their Metis, used them effectively in several key roles. Some Metis were snipers, antisnipers, trail or path finders through the German mines and obstacles. Blitz troops. Sappers to undermine walls, obstacles and bunkers. Mules to get the heavy equipment up front. Scouts. Runners to pass information and orders. Explosive Satchel throwers, because Aboriginal athletes championed many of the sports in the Canadian Armed Forces. Try throwing a full hockey player's equipment bag up hill, on the run, crouching, with someone shooting at you. Oh, and yes, remember, you are running on sand and sharp rocks that has mines in it.

             "Please, please let me get there. Where is there? I Don't know, pointing at the break in the wire. There! Go! Go! Now!" Hearts pounding, (Too scared to be afraid),  the Canadians advanced past the beaches and emplacements and found???   There were Germans surrendering and Canadians speaking with Germans and French Citizens, because many Metis spoke french and German, from their days in Canada. Many Metis were from french backgrounds, taught by French teachers and priests, worked with or lived near German immigrants or settlements in the Canadian Prairies.

               That Longest Day is remembered at the Juno Beach Centre at Courseulles-Sur-Mer in Normandy, France. Metis are remembered at this Memorial Museum. A Red River Cart is part of the exhibit.  Remembrance is part of being Metis, Aboriginal, Canadian, Human. The Metis story continues. Remember the Metis Veterans who sacrificed their lives, their bodies and minds, so that we, all people, can live in peace and freedom; from that LONGEST DAY, 6th of June.