Governor General Michaelle Jean visited Juno Beach in France this weekend to help honour the contributions of Canada's aboriginal veterans to the First and Second World Wars.

The trip marked Jean's first foreign visit as Governor General. Her two-day tour coincided with a larger 300-member aboriginal delegation, currently visiting various battlegrounds and cemeteries in both France and Belgium.

At the Juno Beach Centre, 14 aboriginal youth delegates joined Jean. The delegates learned about veterans like Leo Goulet, 81, who fought on the beach as a Winnipeg rifleman.

"We could not do much but keep shooting and we had to just keep moving," Goulet told CTV News.

Jean chose to visit the delegation to help bring attention to both aboriginal veterans and those aboriginal soldiers killed during both World Wars.

The delegation placed an inukshuk -- an Inuit stone marker that means "The people were here" -- at the Juno Beach Centre. Part of the purpose of the trip is for aboriginal delegates to perform traditional ceremonies for the spirits of fallen soldiers.

At one battleground site in Belgium, some delegates conducted a calling home ceremony for Canadians killed in the fighting. The ritual involved dozens of Metis, Inuit and non-aboriginal Canadians.

"Think about the veterans that aren't here and the ones that are with us today," youth delegate Rae Dawn Assinewe said, her eyes wet. "And they're such sweet people. Who else could be here?"

Pauline Penik, an Inuit performer, was deeply affected by the trip.

"We're blessed to come and know the veterans and know them personally," she said.

Not only did the youths learn about Canada's part in the First and Second World Wars, but Jean experienced some traditional aboriginal ceremonies and dance. At Juno Beach, one youth gave the Governor General a feather, and she participated in a Metis jig.

"I'm amazed at how similar it is to African (dance)," Jean said.

Lorne Duquette, a traditional Sask. dancer, was impressed with the Governor General's moves.

"I gave it my all and started swinging her around and it was a blast," he said. "I'm in Normandy. I'll never be able to do this again."

With a report from CTV's Nelson Bird