Celebrating Native Women Warriors National Womens History Month - Mary Greyeyes-Reid - Cree Mary Greyeyes-Reid (1920 – 2011) was the first woman of the First Nations to join the Canadian Women’s Army Corps. She was part of the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation north of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Photo Title : Mary Greyeyes being blessed by her native Chief prior to leaving for service in the CWAC.” September 29, 1942. Mary Greyeyes (Reid) was the first Native woman to join the Canadian Forces and one of only 25 Native women to serve in the Canadian military during World War II. In 1942, Greyeyes-Reid was the first First Nations woman to join the Canadian Forces. She was featured in photographs to represent native people in the forces, and at the same time was not welcome in the barracks due to discrimination. Greyeyes-Reid worked in the laundry and as a cook while stationed in Aldershot, England Lack of education did not impede Mary Greyeyes. From the list of twenty-two Saskatchewan Indian servicewomen, the most publicized during WWII is Mary Greyeyes from the Muskeg Lake Indian Reserve. Located near Leask, SK, this Reserve community had the highest enlistment during WWII. Mary had received only a Grade Eight education at Residential School but always one with an eagerness for knowledge, Mary acquired extra tutoring, according to her son who spoke on her behalf. He continued: Mother was the first Indian girl to enlist in Canada. Her brother David Greyeyes was the Army’s first NCO among Indian volunteers. She saw the Army as an opportunity to learn and expand her knowledge. While sitting in the recruiting office, twenty-two girls went in ahead of her only to be rejected. Being the last one to be interviewed, Mother didn’t hold out much hope of enlistment. However, she was accepted into the CWAC as a cook and was posted overseas to England in the Laundry Unit .
Posted on: Sat, 29 Mar 2014 13:25:04 +0000
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