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Whose War? Indigenous and Colonial Troops During the First World War

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A fascinating look at Indigenous and colonial troops during the First World War.

The First World War was a truly global conflict, involving not only the era’s superpowers, but their extended empires. Although often overlooked in military histories, Indigenous troops from Canada, Australia and New Zealand made important contributions in every theatre of war. Soldiers, sailors and airmen also came from European colonies in Africa, South Asia and East Asia — including more than 100,000 soldiers from West Africa, and a million soldiers from India.

This thought-provoking evening features leading scholars Timothy Winegard, Santanu Das and Steven Purewal, in a fascinating discussion on the experiences of the First World War’s unsung military personnel.

In English with simultaneous translation.

Presented in conjunction with the World at War – International Speaker Series, an annual series of academic events, presented by the Canadian War Museum, to mark the centenary of the First World War. The events, presented in a variety of formats, provide an opportunity for the public to learn from leading Canadian and international experts about the war’s national and global reach, its cost and its legacies.

Official Partners of the Centenary of the First World War: John and Pattie Cleghorn and Family; H.Col (Ret’d) John C. Eaton, O.Ont., K.St.J., D.Com. and H.Col Sally Horsfall Eaton, S.S.St.J., C.D., R.N., LL.D.; The Friends of the Canadian War Museum; TD Bank Group; VISITFLANDERS and the R. Howard Webster Foundation.

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