Mary Greyeyes

Mary Greyeyes, a Cree from Muskeg Lake Reserve, served in the Canadian Women’s Army Corps in Canada and Britain. 1942.

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,[1] Canada, and the subject of a photograph that was taken in 1942.

Canadian forces

In 1942, Greyeyes-Reid was the first First Nations woman to join the Canadian Forces.[2] 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.[3] Greyeyes-Reid worked in the laundry and as a cook while stationed in Aldershot, England.[4]

The photograph

The title for the photograph still found in the Library and Archives Canada says, "Mary Greyeyes being blessed by her native Chief prior to leaving for service in the CWAC". The story of this image is told by Greyeyes-Reid's daughter-in-law and conflicts with the original title. According to Melanie Fahlman Reid, Greyeyes-Reid was offered a new uniform and a lunch to take part in this photo shoot set up by her sergeant and two Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers. She goes on to explain that Harry Bull was at the time councillor for the reserve where the photo was taken and did not become chief until some time later. Greyeyes-Reid and Bull were not from the same area and did not know each other.[5]

References

  1. "Muskeg Lake Cree Nation Veterans". Muskeg Lake Cree Nation. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
  2. "Aboriginal Programs, A Proud History". Canadian Forces. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
  3. Adams, Sharon (August 10, 2012). "Historical record corrected after nearly 70 years". Legion Magazine. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
  4. "Women's History Month, Women in Canadian Military Forces: A Proud Legacy" (PDF). Status of Women Canada. October 2011. Retrieved January 26, 2013.
  5. Reid, Melanie Fahlman (August 7, 2012). "What Does This Photo Say?". The Tyee. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
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