On October 7th, 2014 Dr. Julien provided a lecture on the Sacrifices and Mi’kmaq involvement in World War I. We are happy to provide the full context of his lecture in a number of written installments as we Remember our Veterans during the 100th Anniversary of the Great War or WWI. This is the final installment of that lecture.

“There are a number of fantastic stories of the abilities of all soldiers that served, but I would just like to focus on a couple of our Mi’kmaq Soldiers for a moment.

Several prominent Newspapers of the Day ran and interesting story of Private Stephen Toney of Wagmatcook/Pictou Landing.

The Halifax Herald ran this story on November 6th. 1918,
“Private Stephen Toney, a Nova Scotia Indian whose great work as a sniper should win him a fine decoration.” The champion sniper of the 4th. Division of the Canadian Corps in France in 1917 was Private Stephen Toney a full breed MicMac Indian. He is now at the causality quarters in Wellington Barracks and the furore of curiosity to get a glimpse at this extraordinary Nova Scotia sniper. And the furore has just been increased by the rumor, founded on the statements of officers who say they saw the papers that Private Toney has been recommended for the Victoria Cross.” Reports state that he has successfully taken out 16 German snipers. The interesting part of his success was his method. And it shows that the habits and instincts of the old ancient Indian fighters are still ...

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