Military made First Nations veteran credits time in armed forces for turning him away from trouble By: Kevin Rollason Posted: 7:00 PM CST Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022 Last Modified: 10:19 AM CST Friday, Nov. 11, 2022 Updates

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This article was published 09/11/2022 (775 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Les Bruce has a barber shop in the North End, but owning a small business wasn’t the direction his life was heading when he was younger.

Bruce, 52, credits his service in the Canadian Armed Forces for turning him around and giving him purpose.

On Remembrance Day, Bruce will be thinking about that time, which ultimately resulted in him switching a rifle for scissors and razors, as well as the members he served with — and the decades of service by other Indigenous veterans.

“Many other Indigenous service members came before me, including my grandfather, uncles and cousins, who fought in world wars and other major conflicts,” Bruce said earlier this week.

“They came home deeply damaged and went through extreme hardships. I bow and honour them, and also to all of the other many men and women this Remembrance Day.”

Bruce was born in Winnipeg and raised at the Poplar River First Nation on the east side of Lake Winnipeg.

As Bruce began getting older, he began getting in trouble.

“I was being naive and foolish,” he said. “I was a typical teenager growing up and I started getting into trouble. I could see where my life was going, so I decided to go into the Armed Forces. I always knew I was capable of more. Getting more positive guidance helped me.

“I’ve always had an interest in serving in the military.”

According to the Armed Forces, more than 4,000 Indigenous people donned a uniform during the First World War. At the time, some communities saw every male between 20 and 35 years of age sign up.

Bruce said he has traced his family tree back several hundred years, and found he had relatives who fought in the British and French wars, American Civil War, and Red River Resistance.

The Canadian Armed Forces estimates almost 12,000 Indigenous people served with the military in the 20th century, with at least 500 never returning home.

According to the Armed Forces, more than 4,000 Indigenous people donned a uniform during the First World War. At the time, some communities saw every male between 20 and 35 years of age sign up.

The Second World War had more than 3,000 First Nations soldiers and an unknown number of Métis and Inuit serve.

Several hundred, many who had already served in that war, signed up for the Korean War. This included Tommy Prince of Winnipeg, who served and was decorated for heroism in both conflicts.

Bruce joined the Armed Forces in 1990, first with the navy and then, in 1992, transferring to the army. He left the military in 1995.

“There were very few of us First Nations in the military during my time,” he said. “I knew I was one of the very rare few who had the opportunity to get a chance to see and do all that I had.”

Bruce doesn’t like to talk about his experiences — he did serve overseas — but they and the training he received put him on the path to the barber shop.

“I’ve been cutting hair for years and, while I’ve done some other things, I always come back to barbering. I love talking to people and having a conversation with people on the human level.”–Les Bruce

“I was working as a translator at the Health Sciences Centre when I found out this lease was coming up,” Bruce said, adding he opened NiiChii Barber and Salon (8-567 Selkirk Ave.) for business in August 2021.

“I’ve been cutting hair for years and, while I’ve done some other things, I always come back to barbering. I love talking to people and having a conversation with people on the human level.”

Bruce also said his experiences in the military also give him the ability to help people.

As a sign of Bruce’s continued respect for the military, he has just that — a sign — on the front door, letting people know it is owned and operated by an Indigenous military veteran. He chose the name NiiChii because it means “friend” in Ojibwa.

Bruce said clients who sit in his chair ask about his military experience. Sometimes, he advises young people who themselves are struggling to consider enlisting.

“My five years of service had taught me self-discipline, honour, dignity and had prepared me to instinctively jump into action in natural disasters,” he said.

“I am honoured to have worn the Canadian Forces uniforms, and to work alongside many other proud reserve and regular force service members from across this country.”

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca

Kevin Rollason
Reporter

Kevin Rollason is one of the more versatile reporters at the Winnipeg Free Press. Whether it is covering city hall, the law courts, or general reporting, Rollason can be counted on to not only answer the 5 Ws — Who, What, When, Where and Why — but to do it in an interesting and accessible way for readers.

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