Francis Pegahmagabow
Francis Pegahmagabow, born on March 9, 1891, on the Parry Island Indian Reserve, was a distinguished First Nations soldier and activist. As a member of the Ojibwa clan, he was raised in traditional practices and was known by his Ojibwa name, Binaaswi, meaning "the wind that blows off." Pegahmagabow demonstrated exceptional bravery during World War I, volunteering for service despite being exempt as a First Nations member. He served with the Twenty-Third Regiment and became renowned as a skilled sniper, credited with 378 enemy kills and the capture of over 300 soldiers. His valor earned him multiple awards, including the Military Medal and two bars, making him one of the most decorated First Nations soldiers of the war.
After returning home, Pegahmagabow faced the challenging reality of systemic discrimination against Indigenous peoples in Canada. He entered politics, advocating for better treatment and rights for First Nations individuals, serving as chief of the Parry Island Band and engaging in activism throughout his life. He also returned to military service during World War II. Pegahmagabow passed away on August 5, 1952, but he is remembered not only for his military accomplishments but also as an early advocate for Indigenous rights in Canada. Today, he is celebrated as a Canadian hero and a symbol of resilience and courage.
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Subject Terms
Francis Pegahmagabow
World War I sharpshooter, First Nations rights activist
- Born: March 9, 1891
- Birthplace: Parry Island, Ontario, Canada
- Died: August 5, 1952
- Place of death: Parry Island, Ontario, Canada
Also known as: "Peggy" Pegahmagabow, Binaaswi
Significance: As a member of the Ojibwa First Nations clan, Francis Pegahmagabow was not recognized as a Canadian citizen during his early life. Nevertheless, he became Canada's best-known sharpshooter during World War I, and he was one of the nation's most decorated soldiers. After the war, he returned to Canada and became a leader of the Ojibwa clan and a passionate lobbyist for the rights of First Nations people.
Background
Francis Pegahmagabow was born on March 9, 1891, on the Parry Island Indian Reserve. He was the son of Michael Pegahmagabow and Mary Contin, both of whom died when Pegahmagabow was very young. Noah Nebimanyquod, the man who had raised Michael Pegahmagabow, raised Pegahmagabow near the Georgian Bay. Nebimanyquod taught Pegahmagabow the traditional hunting and fishing methods of the Ojibwa clan. Pegahmagabow's Ojibwa name was Binaaswi, which means "the wind that blows off."
During his youth, Pegahmagabow was also exposed to Roman Catholicism, and he practiced a combination of that faith and native beliefs. One legend states that a native medicine man gave Pegahmagabow a leather pouch to protect him against the dangers he would face in his life. Later, Pegahmagabow's strong spiritualism would be credited as the source of his bravery in battle.
By the time he was twelve, Pegahmagabow left school to work in fishing and lumber camps. When he was twenty-one, he decided to complete his education and was able to secure financial aid to return to school. In 1912, he worked as a marine firefighter for a time. A year later, he contracted typhoid fever, and he was cared for by Catholic nuns at Parry Sound.
Life's Work
Pegahmagabow recovered by the time World War I broke out in 1914, and he immediately volunteered to fight, despite the fact that he was exempt from any service requirements as a member of the First Nations. He enlisted in the Twenty-Third Regiment, known as the Northern Pioneers, and was one of twenty thousand men sent to France with the First Canadian Infantry Battalion in early 1915. In April, he survived the Germans' first attack with poisonous chlorine gas at the Second Battle of Ypres, and he established his reputation as an expert sniper and scout.
Relying on skills he learned while hunting, Pegahmagabow would sneak into the area between the two armies—known as "no man's land"—where he was an easy target for the enemy. He would lie in wait for any German soldier who appeared in view and fire. Before the war ended, Pegahmagabow was credited with 378 enemy kills and the capture of at least 300 enemy soldiers.
Pegahmagabow was also known for his resilience. He was wounded in the leg during the Battle of the Somme in 1916 and contracted pneumonia, but he insisted on returning to action. His bravery was also apparent when he negotiated enemy fire to carry important communications. These acts were acknowledged when he received his first Military Medal in 1916. The medal was awarded for bravery and meritorious accomplishments. In the two years that followed, Pegahmagabow would add two bars to his Military Medal for his actions at the Battle of Passchendaele in 1917 and the Battle of the Scarpe in 1918. He became one of only thirty-eight soldiers to earn the Military Medal and two bars. He was also awarded a 1914–1915 Star award, a British War Medal, and the Victory Medal.
Pegahmagabow was well regarded among his fellow soldiers, who called him "Peggy," and he was highly decorated for his bravery and service. However, after the war, he returned to a nation where aboriginal people were subject to a system of rules and oversight that kept them poor and left them at the mercy of the government. This was even the case for a war hero such as Pegahmagabow. The former soldier wanted to change this, so he decided to enter politics. He became chief of the Parry Island Band from 1921 to 1925, and he served the band in other capacities from 1933 to 1936.
Pegahmagabow's time in the political sphere was marked by controversy. He clashed with people in his own band who disagreed with his approach toward members who were not full-blooded aboriginals. This led to the end of his term as chief in 1925. He also had frequent disagreements with Indian government agents. Still, none of this stopped him from petitioning the Canadian government for better treatment for aboriginal people, and Pegahmagabow wrote many letters to officials seeking an end to the use of Indian agents for oversight of native people. During the 1940s, he demonstrated in favor of improved rights for Canada's aboriginal population. He also served twice as a supreme chief of the Native Independent Government and was a member of the National Indian Brotherhood.
Pegahmagabow would return to military service during World War II. He served in a local militia in Ontario as a sergeant major and worked as a guard at a munitions plant. He died on August 5, 1952, from a heart attack attributed to lung damage he suffered during his wartime service.
Impact
Canadian snipers were recognized as some of the best in the world during World War I. Eight of the top twelve snipers during the conflict were from Canada. Pegahmagabow was considered the best of these men. For his bravery and skill with a sharpshooter's rifle, Pegahmagabow became the most decorated First Nations soldier to fight in World War I. Today, he is considered a Canadian hero. His efforts to improve conditions for the First Nations people made him one of the first activists for the rights of Canada's aboriginal people.
Personal Life
Pegahmagabow was married. He and his wife, Eva, had six children.
Bibliography
"Francis Pegahmagabow." The Canadian Encyclopedia, 18 Mar. 2016, www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/francis-pegahmagabow/. Accessed 2 Mar. 2017.
Gillies, Scott. "Route to the Past: Francis Pegahmagabow a Decorated Soldier." Ingersoll Times, 14 Mar. 2016, www.ingersolltimes.com/2016/03/07/route-to-the-past-francis-pegahmagabow-a-decorated-soldier. Accessed 2 Mar. 2017.
"Honoring Chief Francis Pegahmagabow." The Ontario Historical Society, www.ontariohistoricalsociety.ca/index.php/2014-03-04-21-07-46/news-archives/455-ohs-honours-chief-francis-pegahmagabow. Accessed 2 Mar. 2017.
Niewwint, Joris. "The Best Sniper of World War 1—Francis Pegahmagabow." War History Online, 17 Aug. 2016, www.warhistoryonline.com/world-war-i/best-sniper-world-war-1-francis-pegahmagabow.html. Accessed 2 Mar. 2017.
"A Peaceful Man." Veterans Affairs Canada, www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/those-who-served/aboriginal-veterans/native-soldiers/peaceful. Accessed 2 Mar. 2017.
Powers, Lucas. "WWI Hero Francis Pegahmagabow Given Aboriginal Day Honour." CBC News, 21 June 2016, www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/francis-pegahmagabow-aboriginal-day-1.3644513. Accessed 2 Mar. 2017.
Sherren, Reg. "Legendary Ojibwa Sniper Unsung Hero of WWI." CBC News, 1 Aug. 2014, www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/legendary-ojibwa-sniper-unsung-hero-of-ww-i-1.2725241. Accessed 2 Mar. 2017.
Wyatt, Nelson. "Aboriginal Snipers among Canada's Top Snipers in First World War." Globe and Mail, 6 Nov. 2014, beta.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/aboriginal-soldiers-among-canadas-top-snipers-in-first-world-war/article21475002/?ref=http://www.theglobeandmail.com&. Accessed 2 Mar. 2017.