Elijah Smith Tämey

1912-1991

We would like to honour the many Yukon First Nation veterans that served in the Second World War: Booby
Austin, Harry Davis, Edward Good, Malcolm McLeod, Sandy McLeod, George Sidney, Pete Sidney, Alex
VanBibber, Archie VanBibber, Daniel VanBibber, John Adamson, and Elijah Smith.
In attendance today is John Adamson’s grandson, David Bunburry. Mr. Bunburry is also a teacher at our school.
Also, in attendance is Chief Steve Smith, Elijah Smith’s son. Elijah Smith was also an Uncle to Mr. Bunburry.
Elijah Smith and John Adamson were Uncles to Tadura, also a teacher at our school.

We are now going to tell you about Elijah Smith.

Elijah Smith was born on July 17,1912 and grew up in Champagne, the traditional
territory of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nation. Elijah Smith’s mother was
Annie Ned and his father was Paddy Smith. Elijah Smith grew up speaking his
traditional language and learning his family’s culture and traditions. Imagine what
life was like for Elijah Smith in the Yukon over 100 years ago. There were few
roads and stores to buy food and goods. Elijah Smith and his family would have
been relying on the land as a way of life.

Elijah Smith was 27 years old when he volunteered to fight in the Second World War.
He would have had to travel across this huge country to the Atlantic Ocean. He then
crossed the Atlantic Ocean to spend the next six years as a member of the Royal
Canadian Engineers. He saw action August 19, 1942 as he fought in the Dieppe Raid.
This is better known as the Dieppe Disaster as out of 5, 000 Canadians involved 3, 367
casualties occurred. The enemy was waiting on the high cliffs, making the Canadians
easy targets. I wonder what he was thinking as he got close to shore. He probably
thought of home or a simpler time when his life was not constantly in danger. Did he say
a prayer? Did he carry something from home in his pocket or close to his chest? What
gave him his strength? Elijah Smith was one of the few Canadian soldiers to return to
Britain unharmed. Two years later, Elijah Smith fought in Normandy, pushing the
enemy back and helping to free Europe. It was here in Normandy that he was wounded. While pushing a road
through France, his machine hit a mine. Elijah was seriously injured in the blast, suffering facial and shrapnel
wounds. He received a medal for gallantry.

Elijah Smith returned home to the Yukon after the war. Upon his return he was struck by the injustice First Nation
citizens faced. Remember, Elijah Smith survived the Dieppe Disaster, and helped to push the Germans out of
France. He risked his own life, and lived away from home for 6 years. Even though Elijah
returned a war hero, he was not entitled to the same privileges awarded non-First Nation
Veterans. Elijah Smith decided to commit the rest of his life to fighting these injustices. Elijah
would eventually be part of Yukon Native Brotherhood who delivered “Together Today for
Our Children Tomorrow”. We are lucky here at Elijah Smith School that Elijah Smith fought
for justice in the Second World War and justice for First Nations people. We are all thankful to
Elijah Smith and proud our school is named after him.