On November 6, Niagara College’s Libraries and Learning Commons, in partnership with Indigenous Education, hosted a living library event in honour of Indigenous Veterans Day. The day is observed annually across Canada on Nov. 8 to commemorate the contributions of the thousands of Indigenous peoples who have served their country in times of war, conflict and peace.
Two special guests visited the College’s Daniel J. Patterson Campus to share their knowledge with students and employees during the livestreamed Zoom event, which was moderated by Karl Dockstader, NC’s Indigenous Education and Cultural Consultant.
“The Library and Learning Commons was so pleased to be able to host Retired Command Sergeant Major Ronald Cook Jr. and Vietnam Veteran Tom Dockstader with our colleagues and friends in Indigenous Education to learn about, and learn from, their individual lived experiences in serving in the military,” said Gordana Vitez, Director, Library and Learning Commons, Daniel J. Patterson Campus. “It is very important to not only honour and thank our veterans for their service but to also listen and learn from their journeys.”
Retired Command Sergeant Major Ronald Cook Jr. is a Seneca Nation Snipe Clan citizen from Cattaraugus and the uncle of NC Indigenous Student Success Leader, Jessica Winger. During the event, he spoke about his experience across 27 years of active service with the U.S. Armed Forces, rising the ranks and serving in combat tours in Panama, South Asia, and Iraq.
CSM Cook spoke and how his Indigenous roots and traditional upbringing on the land in Western New York, taught him the discipline required to serve his country and become a strong leader. He also shared that he has dedicated his retirement to helping youth struggling with addiction, and working alongside his fellow veterans in the community through the Iroquois Post 1587 American Legion. A highlight has been starting an Indigenous youth program for 13-year-olds within Seneca Nation that has flourished into a successful and in-demand program.
Tom Dockstader, the father of Karl Dockstader, is a Buffalo-born Oneida Bear Clan citizen. He served three years in the Vietnam War achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant in 1971.
During the conversation, Dockstader shared his experience enlisting at 19 years old with a baby on the way. He spoke about the culture shock of going overseas to serve in the war – an experience that provides many lessons in growing up – and acknowledged that he was proud to serve and come home, along with his small crew who all survived and returned to their families. He also shared that it took time to gain respect for his service as an Indigenous person.
After his service, he went on to get his Masters in Education from the State University of New York at Buffalo, which he used to dedicate his career to helping his people in Southern Ontario and Western New York. Dockstader also shared that his Indigenous traditions and family history – he is a second-generation residential school survivor – and experience serving in the war, contributed to his passion for helping his Indigenous community. He eventually moved his family to Fort Erie, where he was invited to lead the Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre, which continues to make a positive impact for Indigenous peoples today.
Watch a recording of the event
A recording of the event is available online through the Library and Learning Commons’ Living Library Event Guide. Recordings of all past events within the living library series are also catalogued on the guide.
Beaded poppy workshops
In advance of Indigenous Veterans Day, Indigenous Education hosted workshops for students and employees to make beaded poppies. The workshops, held on Nov. 2 at the Welland Campus and Nov. 3 at the Daniel J. Patterson Campus, were led by Indigenous community member Shannon Cotter, who made poppies for the College to gift to the Indigenous Veterans who shared their experiences at the living library event.
Dockstader highlights living library event on City of Welland podcast
Karl Dockstader also spoke about Indigenous Veterans Day on the City of Welland’s What’s Up, Welland podcast. During the episode, released on Nov. 8, Dockstader mentions NC’s living library event as a special opportunity to hear and learn first-hand from Indigenous Veterans.
Listen to the episode: Honouring the Indigenous veterans who answered the call to serve (buzzsprout.com)
