Greater awareness of Aboriginal contributions to Canadian war efforts in the twentieth century should bring with it broader cultural awareness. For example, a recent Canadian Forces initiative providing special pre-recruit training recognizes some of the particular obstacles experienced by Aboriginal peoples who wish to serve the country. Dempsey told the story of the Blood Indian named Bumble Bee who was discharged during World War One because he refused to let his braids be cut off. It took more than seventy years, but recent legislation finally eliminates the possibility of such an occurrence. Bob Crane, a member of the Siksika Nation and former signals officer with the Canadian Forces, won the right for Aboriginal soldiers to wear their hair long.
Some battles take a long time to wage, but they are worth it.
M.A. Thesis, University of Calgary, 1987. Future studies will hopefully buttress or challenge this explanation. M.A. Thesis, University of Calgary, 1999.