Lisa Scott
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Oct 05/05) - When Rebecca Plotner steps onto the battlefields of the First World War, she expects her emotions to well up.

Standing at Vimy Ridge with 20 aboriginal veterans might do that to anyone, but for Plotner, a member of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, it will be even more poignant.

"It's going to be very emotional and possibly hard," says the St. Patrick high school student.

"It will be a great experience to learn some of their stories and the history of the wars instead of what's in a book," says the 18-year-old.

Plotner won a spot on the aboriginal spiritual journey to Belgium and France organized by Veterans Affairs Canada. She was chosen from nation-wide essay entries about why it's important for aboriginal youth to remember the sacrifices of aboriginal soldiers in Canadian history.

Twelve other youth from Metis, Inuit and other First Nations groups were also chosen for the Oct. 25-Nov. 4 trip.

Aboriginal heritage is important to Plotner, something she tries to keep strong by learning to work with caribou hide, sewing and learning a bit of Dogrib.

Travelling on the trip, which is part of Canada's Year of the Veteran celebrations, will also bring attention to the sacrifice by aboriginal people for their country, she says.

"Aboriginal people don't really get recognized as veterans and for all the different things they had to do," she says.

During the journey, spiritual leaders will recall the spirits of fallen warriors in a calling home ceremony and visit battlefields and cemeteries.

The trip will include ceremonies in Ypres, the Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, Juno Beach and will end with the launch of veterans week in Ottawa.