On National Indigenous Veterans Day Wednesday, Alderville First Nation Chief Taynar Simpson reflected on the importance of the day while also recognizing the challenges of the past.

"During the fighting, (Indigenous veterans) were seen as equals - it was the first time in their lives they were seen as equal amongst everybody else - but, sadly, when they returned to the community they were mistreated," Simpson said. "They weren't allowed into the Legions to get their medals for several reasons, one of them being that alcohol was being served and Indigenous people weren't allowed access to it at the time."

The chief said there are also examples of reserve land being given away to non-Indigenous veterans.

Alderville First Nation, north of Cobourg, held its annual Remembrance Day ceremony, as it does every year, on the Sunday prior to Nov. 11. It was also a lead up to National Indigenous Veterans Day.

First held in Winnipeg in 1994, National Indigenous Veterans Day is now observed every Nov. 8 across the country.

Listen to the audio report below: