Francis Pegahmagabow to be commemorated in 2016
(Nov. 10, 2014) – ONECA is an executive member of the Francis Pegahmagabow Commemoration 2016 Committee, formed to create and install a life-sized bronze sculpture honouring Francis Pegahmagabow, the most highly-decorated First Nations soldier of WW I.
The sculpture, to be unveiled in June 2016, will stand at the Charles W. Stockey Centre for the Performing Arts in Parry Sound, in view of Parry Island, Pegahmagabow’s home. Tyler Fauvelle, a professional artist based in Sudbury, Ontario, will create the sculpture, featuring elements of Ojibwa culture.
The story of First People’s military contributions to Canada needs to be more widely known; an important part of the commemoration is the production of an educational video about Pegahmagabow, and aboriginal people’s military service to Canada. The bronze monument and commemorative plaque will tell the story for generations; we hope that the new video will interest, inspire and engage Canadian students of all backgrounds, and resonate very strongly with aboriginal students.
“The Wasauksing First Nation (Parry Island), the Town of Parry Sound, and a very dedicated committee are all working together to honour one of Canada’s most valiant heroes,” says Roger Chum, President of ONECA. “Our hope is that this monument will be spirit-building, and inspire reflection and remembrance.”
Joseph Boyden, Canadian author and member of the committee, has said that Francis Pegahmagabow is “one of Canada’s most important heroes.” His award-winning novel, Three Day Road, was inspired by Pegahmagabow’s military life as scout and sniper.
Pegahmagabow was awarded the Military Medal in 1916; the citation speaks of his great bravery, disregard for danger, and faithfulness to duty. Similar acts of valour were recognized by additional bars to that medal, and Pegahmagabow was one of only 39 members of the Canadian Expeditionary Force to receive two bars to the Military Medal. A skilled sniper and scout, he fought overseas for almost the entire war, seeing action in some of its most horrific battles: Second Battle of Ypres, the Somme, Passchendaele, Battle of the Scarpe.
Fueled by pride in his Great War accomplishments, and changed in ways that only returning veterans could understand, Pegahmagabow persistently rebelled against barriers and racism, agitating for change. He served as Chief of the Parry Island Band (Wasauksing First Nation), band councillor, and as Supreme Chief of the Native Independent Government.
The project will be funded partly by public sector grants; the committee is also developing a sponsorship package for private sector funding. The estimated budget is $195,000; we expect to secure public funding of $110,000, with the balance coming from private sector donations.
For more information on the project, please email Tyler Fauvelle at parryislandhero@gmail.com. You can also visit his website at www.tylerfauvelle.ca
Donations gratefully accepted by: ONECA, Payable to: Parry Island Hero
Mailing address: ONECA, 37A Reserve Road, Box 220, Naughton, Ontario, P0M 2M0