The research project "North American Indigenous Soldiers in the Netherlands during World War II" aims to identify and describe the participation of North American indigenous soldiers in the Netherlands during World War II. For US indigenous soldiers, the emphasis lies on Operation Market Garden, and might include other major military operations in the future. For the Canadian indigenous soldiers the focus lies on writing biographical portraits of First Nations and Métis soldiers who lie buried in the Commonwealth War Graves in the Netherlands. Through archival research and personal interviews, the project hopes to identify and describe as many soldiers as possible. In this way the project enhances the visibility of indigenous soldiers, and honors their efforts to help liberate Europe. In addition, the project theorizes indigenous mobility and the impact of indigenous war participation on empowerment, activism and the struggles for sovereignty.
As part of this research project, the exhibition Albert & Theo: a special friendship will be on display at the Freedom Museum in Groesbeek from 18 November 2022 to 9 April 2023.