The (25-year-old) Canadian volunteer soldier in the Ukrainian Army, Austin Lathlin-Bercier of the ‘Opaskwayak Cree Nation’ – he was recently killed in action on the frontlines.

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1. The (25-year-old) Canadian volunteer soldier in the Ukrainian Army, Austin Lathlin-Bercier of the ‘Opaskwayak Cree Nation’ – he was recently killed in action on the frontlines.

   “Austin was bright, compassionate & extremely brave. He lived & offered his life with honour. He made our nation proud,” – Chief of Opaskwayak Cree Nation Maureen Brown.

   https://x.com/euromaidanpress/status/1725140859404849465?s=46

   A man from Opaskwayak Cree Nation (OCN) who died while fighting in Ukraine is being remembered as someone who always offered a helping hand.
   Family and friends of Austin Lathlin-Bercier, 25, say he was inspired to volunteer shortly after the war in Ukraine first broke out. Shockwaves were sent through OCN after learning Monday a community member died while fighting in Ukraine.

   We mourn with our community. We lost the young man fighting overseas. Fighting for something he believed in,” OCN Councillor Edwin Jebb said.
   Austin’s sister Faith Lathlin-Bercier said he was known to help those who needed it the most – Ukrainians being no exception.

   In March 2022 after volunteering for different causes around the world – he enlisted to fight in Ukraine with an international legion. He spent the next year and a half there.

   “He went to Ukraine because he saw how many innocent women and children were being killed. He’s always been protective of women, children and those who can’t defend themselves,” Faith wrote in an email to CTV.

   “He told me when he was done fighting he wanted to come back to our reserve (Opaskwayak Cree Nation) and become someone who could teach the young children of our community.”

   On Thursday – he sent his mother what is now the last text between the two – “Thanks mom all is good over here.”

   The Embassy of Ukraine in Canada tells CTV News he went missing in action in the Donetsk region on Saturday, Nov. 11.
   The family was told on Monday he was MIA, and later that day they were told he died.

   ”He believed in fair play and helping other people. So you could say he died for his beliefs you know. His beliefs of helping other people,” Jebb said.
   Faith tells CTV News her brother’s remains can’t be sent back home yet – as there is too much fighting in the area. It could take anywhere from days to months.

   OCN lowered its flag Monday night in honour of Austin. It says when the family is ready, it will be working with them on a funeral or memorial.
   The Ukrainian Canadian Congress of Manitoba is sending a letter of condolences to OCN

   https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/family-friends-mourn-manitoba-first-nation-man-who-died-while-fighting-in-ukraine-1.6647051

2. Heartbreaking

3. Rest in Peace Brother! True Hero!

4. I’m so fucking pissed at Russia.

5. Sorry he’s gone, but hopefully what He believed in will live on not only in Ukraine but the Opaskwayak Cree Nation as well.

6. This world needs more people like him! RIP.

7. Героям слава

8. That sucks. Cursed putin

9. Hero of the free world

10. Absolute hero 🇨🇦

11. Neta͞enamawehmākenak

12. Hero

13. RIP my Canadian countryman. Your people have endured so many problems here in Canada, yet you went away to help fight someone else’s war. Much respect to you. RIP!

14. RIP warrior.

15. Heroic. RIP bud.

16. I’d say the Ukrainians were one of the few groups that treated [Canada’s Indigenous people with respect](https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/exploring-hidden-history-indigenous-relations-ukrainian-settlers/).

17. You’ve done well Austin. Thanks for representing some of us who also believed in your righteous fight but now too old to count in this war. Rest in peace.

18. Rest in peace Austin. You are a hero.

19. That’s someone to be proud of. Rest in peace 🕯️