It was during one of many stops on the Aboriginal Spiritual Journey to France and Belgium organized by Veterans' Affairs Canada to honor the contribution of First Nation, Metis and Inuit soldiers during the First and Second World Wars that Canadian forces historian Dr. Jean Martin told the story of Private Alexander Decoteau. The Native soldier was killed at the age of 28 on Oct. 30, 1917 by a German sniper during the battle of Passchendaele. Decoteau is buried at the Passchendaele New British Cemetery.

[Alex Decoteau] was a well-known long distance runner, Canada's first Aboriginal police officer and "a local hero," Martin told the audience.

The life and service of Alex Decoteau was honored at the Aboriginal spiritual journey. Mary Wuttunee, the daughter of Decoteau's first cousin, visited the runner's grave.

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