The Plane of Reconciliation honours Indigenous Veterans and their unique sacrifices made in service to Canada.
Captain David Freeman donated a replica of a First World War Nieuport Biplane in order to honour the contributions and sacrifices of Indigenous Veterans of Canada. The Comox Valley Airport installed the Nieuport Biplane above its departures lounge. Captain Freeman requested the Comox Canadian Forces Base unit badge design be added to the display. The badge design features a Kwakiutl Thunderbird that was originally crafted in consultation with Kwakiutl Chief Mungo Martin, a master craftsman and totem pole carver, and in consultation with K’ómoks Chief Andy Frank in the early 1960s.
The design has since been recreated by Chief Martin’s great-grandson, Hereditary Chief Walas ‘Namugwis, David Mungo Knox who carries on the Potlatch ceremonies and traditional Kwakiutl artform of his ancestors. Chief Knox shares, “The great thunderbird is one of the Chief’s of Sky World and features prominently the many stories of creation for our first ancestors. We have teachings and ceremonies still practiced today to honour our connection to this supernatural being, one that we all recognize and respect as Kwakiutl and Kwakwaka’wakw First Peoples. With great respect we stand with Captain Freeman to honour our Indigenous Veterans across Turtle Island – we fought together; we remember together.”
A group from across Canada known as Vimy Flight, flew replica Nieuport Biplanes over Vimy Ridge on 9 April 2017 in honour and in remembrance of all of those whose sacrifices we remember together. Although Veteran pilot Captain Freeman conducted the test flights he was unable to participate at Vimy Ridge.
