Honouring Indigenous contributions: Indigenous-crafted poppies can now be worn for Remembrance Day observance

October 27, 2025 – Defence Stories

Estimated read time – 1:30

Every November, millions of Canadians pin a red poppy to their lapel as a quiet but powerful act of remembrance. Whether in memory of those who gave their lives in the two World Wars, in the Conflict in Korea, or on missions in Cyprus, Bosnia, and Afghanistan, the poppy has become Canada’s universal symbol of honouring military sacrifice. Inspired by Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae’s poem ‘In Flanders Fields’, the poppy is a tradition rooted in reflection, gratitude, and a collective promise to never forget.

This year, that symbol is being expanded to embody Canada’s commitment to reconciliation, as the National Defence Clothing and Dress Committee (NDCDC) has approved the wearing of Indigenous-crafted poppies on Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) uniforms during Remembrance Day observances. This marks the first year that such poppies may be worn. The decision recognizes and honours the contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples, while adhering to established guidelines for Remembrance Day observance.

CAF members are welcome to source poppies from any vendor, including the Royal Canadian Legion, provided the poppy meets the following criteria outlined by the NDCDC:

1. It is not less than 3.8 cm and no greater than 5.1 cm in diameter;
2. Poppies shall be red with black accents; and
3. Indigenous poppies may be made from other materials besides beads, including, but not limited to, seal skin, porcupine quill, and caribou bone and other culturally significant materials.

CAF members are encouraged to source Indigenous poppies from the Indigenous community or Indigenous vendors.

The inclusion of Indigenous-crafted poppies is a meaningful evolution of a tradition that has long united Canadians in remembrance. It acknowledges the diverse cultural identities within the CAF and broadens the way we honour those who have served, in a respectful and inclusive way.

For CAF members, the poppy may be worn from the last Friday in October until Remembrance Day. For more information on Remembrance Day dress regulations, consult the Remembrance Day Aide-Memoire.