Remembrance Day Ceremony 2026 at Vanier

This year, as part of the ceremony, Vanier highlighted and thanked First Nations, Métis and Inuit war veterans, and welcomed special guest, veteran Peter Jacobs, from the Kahnawake community, who carried the Haudenosaunee Confederacy flag.

Peter Jacobs, who comes from a multigenerational military family, served as a member of the US Army Airborne during the Viet Nam war. He has been a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Mohawk Branch 219, for 50 years, where he served as 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, Executive, Membership Chairman, and Service Officer.

Before the stage, a wreath made of woven elements of the four sacred medicines: Cedar, Sweetgrass, Sage and Tobacco, represented First Nations, Métis and Inuit veterans, and stood next to a traditional wreath of poppies.

Speakers included Director General Benoit Morin, Billi-Jo Poirier, Vanier Indigenous Student Life Counsellor, who read the poem “I Love This Land” written in the voice of a First Nations soldier speaking to a fellow soldier upon returning to Canada after the war, written by Chief R. Stacey LaForme of the Mississaugas of New Credit First Nation, and Sibelle Correa Marra, Internal Affairs Coordinator of the VCSA, who read the poem, "In Flanders Fields" written in 1921, by Canadian doctor, Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae.

Music student, Emmanuel Rozhansky, played "The Last Post" on the trumpet. Then, two minutes of silence were observed then broken by piper, Wayne Spooner. The ceremony ended with the playing of "Reveille" on the trumpet; then the piper exited followed by guests and participants.

It was one of the most respectful and moving Remembrance Day Ceremonies we’ve had at Vanier, as all attendees were silent and attentive throughout the event.