Gage, Randi

Randi Gage was born on April 21, 1950 in southeastern Michigan, and she presently lives in Manitoba.  She is a Vietnam era veteran who joined the US Army when she was 17, the daughter of a Korean War veteran.  Serving during a turbulent period in American history, Gage represents a generation of veterans shaped by the social and political upheaval of the 1960s and 1970s. Randi served in a series of bases, mostly in the US Southern Command, where she was an armor supply specialist.  That included time spent in the Panama Canal Zone. Wherever she was stationed Randi confronted the military mores of the time, often steeped in sexist and racist rhetoric. Following her military service, Randi headed north to Manitoba, where she became an outspoken supporter of Indigenous rights, focusing on issues such as cultural preservation, veterans’ recognition, and equitable access to services for Indigenous communities. She has worked to make those voices heard and to ensure that the contributions of Indigenous service members are acknowledged, which includes bringing uncomfortable historical truths to light. Gage continues to promote understanding, healing, and respect for Indigenous peoples and for veterans whose stories deserve recognition, and that story has culminated in recent years with the widespread acceptance of November 8 as Indigenous Veterans’ Day, a mission that Randi continues to champion.  The province of Manitoba has taken the lead on this, and Indigenous veterans there and all across Canada owe her a debt of gratitude.  Scott Masters interviewed Randi Gage in Toronto in November 2025.