Canadian war hero, Thomas ‘Tommy’ Prince, honoured in Winnipeg

WINNIPEG — Sgt. Thomas ‘Tommy’ Prince was honoured Tuesday in recognition of Aboriginal Veterans Day.

Prince served with the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry and fought in the Second World War and the Korean War. He became one of the most decorated First Nations veterans in Canadian history.

A plaque honouring Prince’s service was unveiled Tuesday in the Legislative Building Hall of Honour. Indigenous and Municipal Relations Minister Eileen Clarke said the plaque would be permanently installed later this week.

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“We owe a huge debt of gratitude to all the members of our Canadian Armed Forces who have served our nation in times of war and peace,” said Clarke . “Over 12,000 First Nations people served in the First and Second world wars and also in the Korean War.”

“I wish he was here. He would be just flabbergasted,” Prince’s son, Tommy Prince Jr. said at the event.

“He’d be very honoured and happy to be here as I am today.”

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Prince was born in Scantebury, Manitoba and was a member of the Brokenhead Ojibway Nation. He died in November 1977 and is buried at Brookside Cemetery.