Article / April 30, 2019 / Project number: 19-0094

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By Steven Fouchard, Army Public Affairs

Lévis, Quebec — A Quebec-based Canadian Army Reserve unit has been given new battle honours that include a salute to Indigenous contributions.

Le Régiment de la Chaudière, which is headquartered in Lévis, received the honours in a ceremony held March 9, 2019 in Saint-Georges de Beauce, Quebec. The event included delegations from First Nations and Métis communities, as well as displays of traditional dance and song.

Among the guests were Brigadier-General Jocelyn Paul, Commander of the Canadian Army’s 4th Canadian Division, who is the highest-ranking Indigenous officer in the Canadian Armed Forces.

Also attending were Ghislain Picard, Chief of the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador; François Drouin, president of the Métis Nation Québec.

Battle Honour for Battle of Châteauguay in 1869

While 2019 marks the 150th anniversary of the Regiment’s founding in April 1869, one of the three new honours is a recognition of the Battle of Châteauguay, a War of 1812 clash involving pre-Confederation militia units that are part of the modern Regiment’s lineage.

Events leading up to the Battle of Châteauguay began in the fall of 1813, when American forces advanced toward Montreal with the goal of isolating Quebec from Ontario, known respectively at the time as Lower Canada and Upper Canada.

British authorities countered with a combined force of militia fighters and Indigenous warriors, which established defensive positions along the Châteauguay River. The Americans attacked on October 26 but were forced to retreat.

Lieutenant Elaine Jean, Régiment de la Chaudière’s Public Affairs Officer, said its relations with Indigenous communities in the region continue to be positive.

“Our Commander, Lieutenant-Colonel François Provost, is a strong advocate of diversity and the importance of maintaining an open and inclusive environment,” said Lt Jean. “And he is deeply involved in improving the integration of Indigenous Peoples into the Canadian Armed Forces through its Black Bear and Carcajou programs. As a result, the Regiment has an excellent relationship with the Indigenous Peoples of the region.”

Battle Honour for Afghanistan

The Regiment also received Battle Honours for Afghanistan at the event. It became eligible by providing at least 20 per cent of its personnel to the mission. The contribution of Captain Patrick Lajoie, a current member who completed three deployments there, was noted as part of the ceremony.

“For the members, the three new battle honours are a source of great pride,” added Lt Jean. “It is a very strong symbol of the patriotism of the time when militiamen – often farmers, fathers of families – all left their homes and families to defend their homeland.”

“It is an honor to be part of a regiment with a rich history giving the opportunity to carry and transmit deep values. This brings the satisfaction of being part of an organization larger than oneself.”

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