Indian Veterans By Solomon Ratt (Grades 1-3)

Solomon Ratt is a Cree author, poet, and storyteller from the Woodland Cree Nation of northern Saskatchewan. Writing in both Cree and English, Ratt is known for preserving and revitalizing the Cree language through his literature and teachings. His poem “Indian Veterans” reflects on the experiences of Indigenous soldiers who served in wars abroad, only to return home to face continued discrimination and erasure. Through stark imagery and emotional honesty, Ratt honors their courage while exposing the injustice of their treatment. His work bridges memory, history, and resilience, affirming Indigenous identity and survival through the power of language and story.