Joel Pedersen talks 60s Scoop and rising through the ranks of the military

Joel Pedersen has spent more than half his life serving in the Canadian Armed Forces reserves. First joining when he was 17, he credits the idea to his adoptive mother saying both her and his father both served as well. In October 2024,  as a Chief Warrant Officer, he became the first First Nations person to earn the high senior rank of Brigade Sgt. Major for the 38 Canadian Brigade where he oversees 16 units throughout Manitoba, Saskatchewan and northwestern Ontario. Since that change in rank, he’s also seen big changes happen within the military including the apology given to past and present soldiers who experienced discrimination and racism while in the army. As well, a dress code policy change that now allows those in uniform to wear culturally significant pins. “One of the changes was the beaded poppy. The army commander in Ottawa made it official and was the first one to wear the beaded poppy for the Canadian Armed Forces and it was a really, really significant gesture and a piece that allows Indigenous and non-Indigenous members of the Canadian armed forces to wear beaded poppies and so I think that is a really big part of you know that reconciliation of action that we have all been looking for,” Pedersen told host Tiar Wheatle on Face to Face. Pedersen is grateful that one of his places of employment is making changes that work toward tackling the 94 calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. This is also something that he personally strives to work toward himself. Pedersen himself is a child of the Sixties Scoop and the Adopt an Indian & Metis (AIM) Program. However, he said, it was never seen as an obstacle or disadvantage. “I often am not sure of how to talk about this (because) I don’t have a horrible story to share, I don’t think,” he said. “But then again it all depends on how you look at it.” Pedersen said he always felt love from his adoptive parents. They even took him to connect with neighbouring Indigenous communities around Prince Albert, Sask. where he grew up. Eventually as he got older, Pedersen said he got opportunities to meet his biological parents and even his maternal grandmother. “I was born in Saskatoon, my biological mother was from the far north in Saskatchewan from the Fon Du Lac, Uranium City area, and biological father was also from that far north area. And I don’t really know the complete story of why I was into the foster system in Saskatchewan but I was in that.  And just really grateful that my mom and dad were able to adopt me through the AIM program. You know, in my opinion it worked for my benefit,” Pedersen said. He said he learned from a young age to be proud of who he was and where he came from. And as he got older, he credits the RCMP training academy for two life teachings he’s carried with him. It was there he got connection to the sweatlodge on a deeper level. Pederson owns his own business called Fitness 2J2 in Saskatoon and it’s there that he gets to really focus on fitness training and self-defence safety. Through physical activity, he believes people quickly learn the foundations including discipline. And that discipline combined with patience, is what led him to growing out his hair. Pedersen’s long braid has become a staple, and is most noticeable walking in a line of soldiers in uniform. “I am proud of my braid, definitely it connects me to my culture,” he said, adding, “We have you know those three weaves that come into our essence and we are able to connect in a lot of different ways. I definitely take a personal interest and personal pride in.” The Fon Du Lac member knows that many are watching him, especially within the ranks. “It allows for a safe space for men and women to grow their braid where they feel confident and comfortable that they can do so then that’s really important,” he said. “It also shares with the rest of you know society so to speak, at this time in policing and in the military that men are allowed to grow a braid and it’s accepted.” Continue Reading