Campaign for First Nations war hero

Ontario Native Education Counselling Association executive director Roxane Manitowabi and president Roger Chum display some of the gifts that will be offered in thanks for donations at various levels as they raise $85,000 to help honour Francis Pegahmagabow.

Pegahmagabow, from Wasauksing First Nation, is the most highly-decorated First Nations soldier of the Great War. ONECA leads a committee dedicated to creating the first life-sized bronze sculpture to be created by Tyler Fauvelle, a professional sculptor based in Sudbury. The sculpture, to be unveiled June 2016, will be installed at the Charles W. Stockey Centre for the Performing Arts in Parry Sound. Inspired by this initiative, the Broadcasting-Television and Video Program at Canadore College, North Bay, is working with one of its First Nations students to produce a video about Francis Pegahmagabow and military contributions made by Canada’s First People.