Small red packets of tobacco were distributed at Pine Hills Cemetery on Sunday as veterans, families and community gathered to honour Indigenous military service.
"Hold that in your left hand closest to your heart," Fred Martin, the ceremony's Mi'kmaq and Ojibwe emcee, told attendees.
Martin explained that offering tobacco was a way of showing respect, strengthening relationships and expressing gratitude.
The gathering marked Mount Pleasant Group's first Indigenous Veterans Day ceremony at the Scarborough cemetery on Birchmount Road, near St. Clair Avenue, on Nov. 8, coinciding with its 200th anniversary.
Beneath two blue tents, rows of chairs faced the "O Valiant Hearts" monument.
The Buffalo Charging singers from Toronto Council Fire accompanied the pipe ceremony with drumming and song before formal remarks began.
As a smoking bowl was carried past, attendees cupped the rising smoke in their hands and drew it toward their faces.
First observed in Winnipeg in 1993 following advocacy by Indigenous veterans, Indigenous Veterans Day honours First Nations, Inuit and Métis military service.
Many faced discrimination and unequal access to veterans' benefits after returning home.
For the Rev. Levi Samson-Beardy, an Oji-Cree veteran from northwestern Ontario, military service initially meant serving his own community.
"When I joined it was to serve our First Nations people in the Canadian military," Samson-Beardy said in an interview following the ceremony.
Samson-Beardy, who served from 1969 to 1990, said he did not learn English until he was six.
He recalled feeling uncomfortable during basic training, believing he was the first person from his home community to enlist.
But after entering signals intelligence during the Cold War, his understanding of whom he was serving changed.
"The free world, really. That's what it was," he said when asked who he felt he was serving while in uniform.
Samson-Beardy went on to specialize in Russian-language intelligence work and served as a language instructor.
For Samson-Beardy, Indigenous Veterans Day also offers Indigenous people an opportunity to speak to wider Canadian society about their experiences and accomplishments.
He encouraged younger Indigenous people considering military service not to be intimidated by the expectations.
"You'll be surprised what you can do," he said.
Abigail Morrison, Mount Pleasant Group's director of marketing, communications and outreach, said the anniversary prompted the organization to reflect on its history and the land it operates on.
She said the group also wanted to recognize Indigenous veterans whose contributions have historically received less recognition during Remembrance Day services.
Morrison credited community partners, including drummers, singers and local organizations, with helping make the ceremony possible.
"I think we'd love to continue this annually," Morrison said.
Among those buried at Pine Hills is Brigadier Oliver Milton Martin, a Mohawk veteran from Six Nations of the Grand River who served in both world wars.
He reached the highest military rank, now known as brigadier-general, attained by an Indigenous Canadian at the time.
Speakers at Sunday's ceremony also acknowledged the brigadier's family. Royal Canadian Legion Branch 345, named in his honour, supported the event.
Barry Peters, speaking for the Last Post Fund's Indigenous Veterans Initiative, said the program has worked with 60 communities and 30 researchers since launching in 2019.
He said more than 300 grave markers have been approved for Indigenous veterans as part of ongoing efforts to identify unmarked graves.
"But there is still much work to do, and many graves still to be found," Peters said.
Later in the ceremony, an Ojibwe and English rendition of Amazing Grace preceded the Act of Remembrance and wreath laying.
As drums sounded to close the ceremony, Fred Martin raised his left fist toward the sky, clutching a small red packet of tobacco.
