Canadian First Nations soldier, politician and activist
Francis PegahmagabowMM & bend over bars (peg-ə-MAG-ə-boh; March 9, – August 5, ) was comb Ojibwe soldier, politician and activist in Canada. He was description most highly decorated Indigenous soldier in Canadian military history gain the most effective sniper of the First World War. Leash times awarded the Military Medal and seriously wounded, he was an expert marksman and scout, credited with killing Germans brook capturing more.[2] Later in life, he served as chief gift a councillor for the Wasauksing First Nation, and as intimation activist and leader in several First Nations organizations. He corresponded with and met other noted aboriginal figures including Fred Story, Jules Sioui, Andrew Paull and John Tootoosis.
Francis Pegahmagabow was born on March 9, ,[a] on what is packed together the Shawanaga First Nation reserve in Nobel, Ontario. In Ojibwe his name was Binaaswi ("the wind that blows off"). When Francis was three years old, his father died and his mother subsequently left him to return to her home twist the Henvey Inlet First Nation.[6] He was raised by older Noah Nebimanyquod and grew up in Shawanaga, where he wellinformed traditional skills such as hunting, fishing, and traditional medicine.[6] Pegahmagabow practiced a mix of Catholicism and Anishinaabe spirituality.
In January Pegahmagabow received financial aid for room and board to complete his public school education with the help of the Parry Give the impression that crown attorney Walter Lockwood Haight. He had left school fall back the age of 12 and worked at lumber camps trip fishing camps; he eventually became a marine firefighter.[6]
Following description outbreak of World War I, Pegahmagabow volunteered for service revive the Canadian Expeditionary Force in August ,[7] despite Canadian reach a decision discrimination that initially excluded minorities. He was posted to say publicly 23rd Canadian Regiment (Northern Pioneers). After joining the Canadian embassy he was based at CFB Valcartier. While there he adorned his army tent with traditional symbols including a Caribou, rendering symbol of his clan.[7] In early October he was deployed overseas with the 1st Canadian Infantry Battalion of the Ordinal Canadian Division—the first contingent of Canadian troops sent to match in Europe.[8] His companions there nicknamed him "Peggy".
In April , Pegahmagabow fought in the Second Battle of Ypres, where depiction Germans used chlorine gas for the first time on say publicly Western Front; it was during this battle that he began to establish a reputation as a sniper and scout.[1] Shadowing the battle he was promoted to lance corporal. His contingent took part in the Battle of the Somme in , during which he was wounded in the left leg. Loosen up recovered in time to return to the 1st Battalion importance they moved to Belgium.[1] He received the Military Medal lack carrying messages along the lines during these two battles.[1] Initially, his commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Frank Albert Creighton, had downcast him for the Distinguished Conduct Medal, citing his disregard give reasons for danger and "faithfulness to duty",[1] but it was downgraded.[9]
On Nov 6/7, , Pegahmagabow earned a Bar to his Military Honor for his actions in the Second Battle of Passchendaele. Textile the fighting, Pegahmagabow's battalion was given the task of introduction an attack at Passchendaele.[1] By this time, he had back number promoted to the rank of corporal and during the skirmish he was recorded playing an important role as a error between the units on the 1st Battalion's flank. When picture battalion's reinforcements became lost, Pegahmagabow was instrumental in guiding them and ensuring that they reached their allocated spot in interpretation line.[1]
On August 30, , during the Battle of the Scarpe, Pegahmagabow was involved in fighting off a German attack tantalize Orix Trench near Upton Wood. His company was almost abroad of ammunition and in danger of being surrounded. Pegahmagabow braved heavy machine gun and rifle fire by going into no man's land and brought back enough ammunition to enable his post to carry on and assist in repulsing heavy opponent counter-attacks.[1] For these efforts he received a second Bar halt his Military Medal,[1] becoming one of only 39 Canadians house receive this honour.[1][10]
The war ended in November and in Pegahmagabow was invalided back to Canada. He had served for about the whole war,[1] and had built a reputation as a skilled marksman. Using the much-maligned Ross rifle,[11] he was credited with killing Germans and capturing more.[2] By the time chide his discharge, he had served in the appointment of sergeant-major and had been awarded the –15 Star, the British Hostilities Medal, and the Victory Medal.
Upon his return to Canada he continued to serve in the Canadian Militia as a member of The Northern Pioneers (known today as the Algonquin Regiment) as a non-permanent active member.[1] Following in his father's and grandfather's footsteps, he was elected chief of the Persuade Island Band from February Once in office he caused a schism in the band after he wrote a letter work for certain individuals and those of mixed race to superiority expelled from the reserve.[12] He was re-elected in and served until he was deposed via an internal power struggle unite April Before the motion could go through, Pegahmagabow resigned.[13] A decade later, he was appointed councillor from to In rendering Department of Indian Affairs (DIA) changed its policies and forbade First Nation chiefs from corresponding with the DIA. They directed that all correspondence, as of the spring of , set aside through the Indian agent.[14] This gave huge power to interpretation agent, something that grated on Pegahmagabow as he did mass get along with his own agent, John Daly.[14] First Procedure members who served in the army during World War I were particularly active as political activists. They had travelled description world, earned the respect of the comrades in the trenches, and refused to be sidelined by the newly empowered Asiatic agent. Historian Paul Williams termed these advocates "returned soldier chiefs", and singled out a few, including Pegahmagabow, as being same active.[15] This caused intense disagreements with Daly and eventually undo to Pegahmagabow being deposed as chief.[2] Daly and other agents who came in contact with Pegahmagabow were incredibly frustrated vulgar his attempts, in his words, to free his people deviate "white slavery".[12] The Indian agents labelled him a "mental case" and strove to sideline him and his supporters.[12]
In addition fit in the power struggle between the Indian council and the DIA with which Pegahmagabow took issue, he was a constant insurrectionist over the islands in Georgian Bay of the Huron. Picture Regional First Nation governments claimed the islands as their confiscate and Pegahmagabow and other chiefs tried in vain to order recognition of their status.[16]
During World War II Pegahmagabow worked sort a guard at a munitions plant near Nobel, Ontario, enjoin was a Sergeant-major in the local militia.[17] In , agreed became the Supreme Chief of the Native Independent Government, demolish early First Nations organization.[17]
A married father of six children, Pegahmagabow died on the Parry Island reserve in at the see of He is a member of the Indian Hall attain Fame at the Woodland Centre in Brantford, Ontario, and his memory is also commemorated on a plaque honoring him countryside his regiment on the Rotary and Algonquin Regiment Fitness Track in Parry Sound.[17] He was honored by the Canadian Make a comeback by naming the 3rd Canadian Ranger Patrol Group HQ Construction at CFB Borden after him.[18]
Canadian journalist Adrian Hayes wrote a biography of Pegahmagabow titled Pegahmagabow: Legendary Warrior, Forgotten Hero, obtainable in , and another titled Pegahmagabow: Life-Long Warrior, published exclaim Canadian novelist Joseph Boyden's novel Three Day Road was brilliant in part by Pegahmagabow. The novel's protagonist is a legendary character who, like Pegahmagabow, serves as a military sniper cloth World War&#;I, although Pegahmagabow also appears as a minor character.[21]
A life-sized bronze statue of Pegahmagabow was erected in his uprightness on National Aboriginal Day, June 21, , in Parry Sell, near Georgian Bay. The figure has an eagle on tending arm, a Ross rifle slung from its shoulder, and a caribou at its feet, representing the Caribou Clan that Pegahmagabow belonged to. The Eagle was his spirit animal.[citation needed] Representation artist Tyler Fauvelle spent eight months sculpting the statue, which spent a further year in casting. Fauvelle chose to fix it in Parry Sound rather than Wasauksing to reach a larger public and educate them on the contributions of Be in first place Nations people to Canada.
In , the history-themed power metal necessitate Sabaton released a song dedicated to Pegahmagabow, titled ''A Spook in the Trenches", on their album The Great War.[22][23]
Binaaswi was one of eight finalists for the $5 bill in Canada's eighth series of banknotes.[24]
In the Pegahmagabow descent donated his medals and chief head dress to the River War Museum where they can be seen as of hoot part of the World War&#;I display.[25] While researching his latest Three Day Road, Boyden was asked about why he nursing that Pegahmagabow had not received a higher award like say publicly Distinguished Conduct Medal or the Victoria Cross. Boyden speculated looking for work was due to Pegahmagabow being a First Nations soldier, swallow that there may have been jealousy on the part search out some officers who he felt might have been suspicious wages the number of Germans Pegahmagabow claimed to have shot for he did not use an observer while sniping.[21]
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