Media Advisory - Provincial plaques commemorate Chief Francis Pegahmagabow, 1889-1952

TORONTO, June 16, 2015 /CNW/ - Join the Ontario Heritage Trust and Wasauksing First Nation for the unveiling of provincial plaques in English, French and Ojibwe commemorating First World War hero and First Nations leader Chief Francis Pegahmagabow.

Date:		June 20, 2015
Time:		1:30 p.m.
Location:		Wasauksing Aboriginal Community Centre (at the ball park)
		Wasauksing First Nation
		Parry Island, Ontario P2A 2X4

An Ojibwe of the Caribou clan, Chief Francis Pegahmagabow served overseas during the First World War as a scout and sniper with the Canadian Expeditionary Force's 1^st Battalion. One of 39 soldiers awarded the Military Medal and two bars for bravery, he is Canada's most decorated Indigenous soldier. After the war, he was elected Chief of Wasauksing First Nation and served from 1921 to 1925 and 1942 to 1945 and as Councillor from 1933 to1936. A respected and leading advocate for Aboriginal rights, Pegahmagabow joined with other First Nations leaders to establish the Brotherhood of Canadian Indians, the first national Aboriginal organization.

To honour Chief Pegahmagabow, this commemoration service will feature a historical address by Francis Pegahmagabow's great-grandson Dr. Brian "Waabishki-Makwa" McInnes. A model of the Francis Pegahmagabow statue that will be revealed in 2016 by sculptor Tyler Fauvelle will be on display. The Wasauksing First Nation School Little Spirit Singers will perform for guests. Refreshments will be served following the program.

The Ontario Heritage Trust's Provincial Plaque Program commemorates significant people, places and events in Ontario's history. Since 1956, over 1,250 provincial plaques have been unveiled.

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Ontario Heritage Trust
@ONheritage
Heritage Ontario
www.heritagetrust.on.ca

SOURCE Ontario Heritage Trust

For further information: Rose Windy Manigat, Marketing and Communications Specialist, Telephone: [phone], Email: [email protected]