One Hell of a Warrior

By Michel Treskin

The bravery and noble causes of a First Nations Canadian war hero.

nce in a while, you might

Ostumble on something or someone extraordinary who has shaped the future in one way or another. It could be an event such as the first flight of the Wright Brothers in 1907 or the first successful moon landing. The latter was incredible for two reasons: the mission itself, and the astronauts who accepted the challenge and the risk. Incredible guts for incredible glory.

This time around, we turn our attention to a very special Canadian that I stumbled upon while reading some obscure historical facts about the first World War. An ordinary man with an incredible gift and incredible courage. Once you read about this person, you will want to know more about him.

A LIFE DEVOTED TO SERVICE

Francis Pegahmagabow, a First Nations Canadian soldier, was born in 1891 in Parry Sound, Ontario. His ‘nom de guerre’ was Peggy for obvious reasons. He was a soldier who became a politician as well as an activist after the war.

A skilled marksman, Francis had an eye for long distance rifle shooting and specialized as a sniper for the Canadian Expeditionary Force. Serving from 1914 to 1919, he participated in some of the most vicious battles in the European theater. Battles such as the Battle of the Somme, and the Battle of Passchendaele where over 217,000 enemy soldiers died over the course of six months. Francis became the most highly decorated First Nations soldier in Canadian military history. He was also the most effective sniper of the first World War, having been credited with killing 378 enemy soldiers and even capturing over 300. He was awarded the Military Medal three times, as well as two bars, plus many more comendations for his courage and valour.

SETTING HIMSELF APART

Francis showcased his heritage and individuality without shame. Never afraid to stand apart from his fellow soldiers, he would decorate his tent with traditional symbols, including the caribou. He wore his identity with pride.

Once wounded in the leg, as soon as he’d healed, he was back doing heroic deeds. Francis was fearless, and many times his courage and determination vis a vis his fellow soldiers were demonstrated in heavy combat. At one point, when his company was running out of ammunition, he decided on a fast sprint across No Man’s Land to get more ammo for his comrades. Another medal added for this incred-

Headdress and medals of Francis Pegahmagabow.

Francis was born to lead. Following his ancestors’ footsteps, he was elected Chief of the Parry Island band in 1921. After becoming a councillor in the Department of Indian Affairs, he made sure all First Nation Chiefs directed all correspondence to a selected Indian agent, which unfortunately backfired. Hoping that all complaints would be taken care of according to the constitution, it instead created many rifts and didn’t resolve any problems. Francis wanted all along to free his people from ‘’white slavery’’.

He fought the government to recognise the Parry Islands as Indian land with other Chiefs. In 1943, we became the Supreme Chief of the Native Independent Government. A precursor to an early First Nation organization.

LEGACY OF A HERO

Francis had 6 children and he died where he was born, on his beloved Parry Island Reserve in 1952 at the young age of 61. Later inducted into the Indian Hall of Fame through the Woodland Cultural Centre in Brantford, Ontario, he is also remembered by his regiment with a plaque on the Algonquin Regiment Fitness Trail in Parry Sound. The Canadian Forces further honoured this extraordinary man by naming one of their Ranger Patrol Group HQs in Borden after him.

Rest in peace Warrior Peggy, and thank you for your service and sacrifice!

MT

ZEST

AVIATION

29 A Passenger’s Dilemma

By Michel Treskin