Algonquins of Pikwàkanagàn First Nation helps mark new chapter in Canada’s Afghanistan Remembrance

ALGONQUINS OF PIKWÀKANAGÀN FIRST NATION— Algonquins of Pikwàkanagàn First Nation Chief Greg Sarazin, along with members of the federal government, officially broke ground last week in Ottawa on Canada’s National Afghanistan War Memorial, a lasting tribute to the sacrifices and service of Canadians during more than a decade of conflict in Afghanistan.

The memorial, which has undergone several years of design revisions and public discussion, will be situated at LeBreton Flats in the nation’s capital near the Canadian War Museum.

The monument is intended to honour the more than 40,000 Canadian Armed Forces members who served in Afghanistan following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, as well as the families, civilians, and support personnel who stood beside them throughout the mission.

“This monument will be a place of reflection, learning, and remembrance. For future generations, it will tell a story about duty, about resilience, and about the cost of peace,” stated Chief Sarazin.

Canada’s military deployment in Afghanistan concluded in 2014, marking the country’s longest combat mission in modern history. During the campaign, 158 members of the Canadian Armed Forces lost their lives, along with a Canadian diplomat, four aid workers, a government contractor, and a journalist. Thousands more returned home with physical injuries, and many continue to live with the lasting effects of psychological trauma.

Veterans Affairs Canada indicated that while the memorial was originally expected to be unveiled in 2027, construction timelines have shifted, with completion now anticipated in late 2028, followed by a formal dedication ceremony later.

Contact:
Kyle Robinson
Communications & Public Relations Lead
Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation
(613) 625-2800 Ext: 232
Communications@pikwakanagan.ca