Terry Kruger
Northern News Services

Kemmel, Belgium (Nov 07/05) - A "unique journey" is underway in Europe as First Nations and Inuit spiritual leaders, veterans and youth gathered to bring home the spirits of warriors killed during the First and Second World Wars.

Dozens of Canadians are in France and Belgium for the Aboriginal Spiritual Journey, including several from the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

Atop windswept Hill 62 Thursday morning - so named because it is 62 feet above sea level - Inuit throat singing, aboriginal drumming and dancing and a Metis fiddler turned a normal remembrance ceremony into a moving experience.

Gathered at the Canadian memorial to a First World War battle - where the Canadian army suffered 8,430 casualties in June 1917 - were dozens of aboriginal veterans, family members, RCMP, members of the military and Canadian and Belgian government officials.

Representing NWT youth, Rebecca Plotner of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation was full of pride. "I wrote about how I stand on where (First Nations people) don't get enough recognition. We don't get taught about how aboriginal people served Canada," she said.

"I'm really, really proud to be one of the lucky 14 selected.

"I talked to a couple of veterans. It's amazing what they had to endure."

"I almost cried," said Delilah Misheralak, of Coral Harbour.

She is another one of 14 youth selected to participate in the two-week event.

Misheralak carried a bouquet of flowers laid at the memorial by Luc Dehaene, mayor of the nearby city of Ypres.

Pauline Pemik and Lois Suluk-Locke of Arviat sang a song written by Pemik in honour of veterans and performed throat singing.

"I wrote this song two years ago for veterans, never knowing I'd be here today," said Pemik.

Miriam Aglukkaq of Gjoa Haven lit a qulliq to open the ceremony.

Former Nunavut commissioner Peter Irniq is also along for the journey and was to unveil an inukshuk built at Juno Beach.

Speaking at the Hill 62 ceremony, Veterans Affairs Minister Albina Guarnieri praised the "noble legacy" of First Nations veterans, alive and dead.

"This is a journey that will move us all and touch our nation. We know (the spirits) will rest in the peace of a grateful nation."

Not far away, spiritual elders, including Yellowknife's Tom Eagle and others from around the country, took part in a private "coming home" ceremony that lasted until Nov. 1.

The group returned to Canada on Nov. 3 and wrapped up the "pilgrimage" with a Senate ceremony in Ottawa the next day.