The research project ‘North American Indigenous Soldiers in the Netherlands during World War II’ aims to map and describe as many Native American, First Nations and Métis soldiers who fought in the Netherlands during WWII, or are buried here, as possible.
There are two intended outcomes: a temporary exhibition at the Freedom Museum in Groesbeek from May 2025, and a book publication on the lives of First Nations and Métis soldiers buried in the Netherlands on Commonwealth War Graves (Groesbeek, Holten and Bergen op Zoom).
For the Native American soldiers from the United States, the focus is on Operation Market Garden; the story of the First Nations and Métis soldiers who joined the Canadian army involves a wider range of war acts including the Battle of the Scheldt and the liberation of north-eastern Netherlands.
Through archive research and personal interviews, as many soldiers as possible will be described. The project contributes to increasing the visibility of indigenous soldiers and gives recognition to their efforts in the liberation of Europe. In addition, the project investigates the relationship between settlement colonialism and cultural memory.
As part of this research project, the exhibition Indigenous Liberators will be on display at the Freedom Museum in Groesbeek from 2 May to 30 November 2025.