1893–1957
Pine Hills Cemetery
Section K Lot 1451
Oliver Milton Martin, a Kanyen'kehà:ka (Mohawk) educator and soldier from the Six Nations of the Grand River Reserve, dedicated his life to service during a time when Indigenous peoples faced significant barriers in Canada. Born in 1893, Martin began as a teacher before enlisting in the First World War in 1916. He served with the 114th Battalion (Brock’s Rangers), a unit that honoured Indigenous contributions to Canada’s military history, and later earned his pilot’s wings with the Royal Flying Corps, an achievement rare for Indigenous soldiers of that era.
During the Second World War, Martin rose to the rank of Brigadier, the highest rank held by an Indigenous person in Canadian history at that time. He commanded home defense brigades in Ontario and British Columbia, earning respect for his leadership while navigating a military system that often overlooked Indigenous service.
After retiring from active duty in 1944, Martin returned to education as a teacher and principal in East York. His commitment to justice led to his appointment as Ontario’s first Indigenous provincial magistrate, presiding over courts in York, Halton and Peel counties. This role was groundbreaking, not only for Martin personally but also for Indigenous representation in Canadian institutions.
Martin’s story is part of a larger history of Indigenous resilience and contribution, often unrecognized in mainstream narratives. Today, his legacy is honoured through the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 345 in East York, which bears his name. From the battlefields of Europe to classrooms and courtrooms in Toronto, Oliver Milton Martin’s life reflects courage, perseverance and the ongoing struggle for equity and recognition faced by Indigenous peoples in Canada.
Indigenous Veterans Day, observed on November 8, honours soldiers like Martin who served despite systemic discrimination, many returning home to find benefits denied. His life remains a powerful symbol of resilience and leadership.
Sources:
• Wikipedia – Oliver Milton Martin
• Veterans Affairs Canada – Oliver Milton Martin
Photo:
Canadian Army - Department of National Defence, Library and Archives Canada, Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication.
