Gary Farmer honoured by city

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More than 200 people packed the lobby of the Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts on Nov. 13 as four inductees including Six Nations actor, publisher and philanthropist Gary Farmer were added to the prestigious list of names gracing the Brantford Walk of Fame. Farmer was recognized along with former elite hockey player Wayne Gretzky; film producer, director and writer Linda Schuyler; and internationally known journalist Allen Pizzey.

Brantford Member of Parliament Lloyd St. Amand described Farmer as an important contributor to "the very rich history of Brantford, Brant County and Six Nations." He added "Your creativity and talent have inspired and entertained many people."

The chief of Six Nations, Roberta Jamieson, also praised Farmer, voicing her pride in his representation of Six Nations in the entertainment field. His influence has known no boundary in the fields where he has toiled," she said.

Jazz Fuller, Farmer's nephew, introduced his uncle at the ceremony with insightful words only a member of the family could know. Fuller remembered his uncle sharing stories with him from his acting adventures as they played basketball together. What he also remembered was his uncle being "pretty bad" at basketball.

Farmer thanked the Walk of Fame committee for including his Native name, Hay_twahs, on the bronze plaque they awarded him. Each inductee was presented with Iroquoian pottery made especially for them by Steve Smith of Talking Earth Pottery at Six Nations.

Farmer's plaque will be installed on Market Street in Brantford, outside the former Odeon Theatre.

Currently, Farmer is working on a one-man show that he said he would like to present at the Sanderson Centre.

The Walk of Fame has been in existence since 1997, with an average of three new people inducted every year. Other First Nations people recognized include Mohawk poet E. Pauline Johnson, Mohawk chief Joseph Thayendanegea Brant and Mohawk actor Jay Silverheels.