The Canadian Forces Snowbirds are welcoming the first Indigenous honorary colonel in the squadron’s history.

Chief Evan Taypotat of Kahkewistahaw First Nation has been appointed an honorary colonel of 431 Air Demonstration Squadron.

“I look forward to helping CFB Moose Jaw, and the greater Moose Jaw area move the metre in terms of reconciliation,” he said.

Lieutenant-Colonel of the Snowbirds, Guillaume Paquet said the addition of Taypotat is a historic moment for the squadron.

“This is truly a step in the right direction. To think about our dark past, but a step forward to reconciling the future,” Paquet said.

Taypotat is not new to the Canadian Armed Forces, having joined through the Bold Eagle Program in 1998.

In 2007, He furthered his training in Quebec and New Brunswick, eventually being deployed to Afghanistan in 2011.

He would go on to retire with a captain ranking.

Honorary Colonels are honorary and advisory. They may mentor the commanding officer and members of the unit, as well as build relations with other units through the Honorary Colonial network.

Taypotat plans to show Indigenous youth that there is a place for them in the Canadian Forces.

“Now Indigenous kids in Canada can now say, ‘Maybe we can be colonels.’ I want them to know that is a viable path,” he said.

Outside of military life, Taypotat was a teacher and principal on Khakewistahaw First Nation.

He was elected as Chief of the community in 2017.