A former Cree member of Parliament and a longstanding military veteran has been appointed as the inaugural Indigenous Knowledge Keeper for the Canadian Armed Forces. Warrant Officer Robert-Falcon Ouellette is scheduled for a promotion to captain during a ceremony in Winnipeg on Thursday evening. In an interview before the event, Ouellette emphasized the importance of integrating Indigenous Peoples fully within the nation’s institutions.
With a military background spanning nearly three decades, Ouellette, a fourth-generation military member, began his service with the Navy League and Sea Cadet program and currently serves with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles unit. He previously served as a Liberal MP for the Winnipeg Centre riding from 2015 to 2019 and has also pursued mayoral candidacies in 2014 and 2022. Currently, he holds the position of an associate professor of education at the University of Ottawa.
The newly established role of Indigenous Knowledge Keeper signifies the Canadian Armed Forces’ commitment to embracing Indigenous spirituality. While spiritual and religious care has been provided to members and their families through the Royal Canadian Chaplain Services, this designated position marks a shift towards spiritual teachings from an Indigenous perspective. Previously, chaplains primarily relied on a network of Indigenous representatives for spiritual and emotional support.
Indigenous Peoples were historically prohibited from practicing their spiritual beliefs, a reality that Ouellette personally experienced as a Cree individual. Reflecting on past confrontations related to his heritage, Ouellette noted the significant progress in acceptance within the military community today. Indigenous soldiers have formed their own network within the military, engaging in drum groups and traditional ceremonies to uphold their cultural practices.
As of November 2022, Indigenous individuals constituted 2.9% of the Canadian Armed Forces, with approximately 23% of Canadian Rangers identifying as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis. Ouellette views his role as not only supporting Indigenous members but also educating non-Indigenous individuals within the military, emphasizing the broader significance of his position.
