Sudbury sculpturist's latest project honours WWI soldier

Sudbury sculpture artist Tyler Fauvelle has been commissioned to create a life-sized bronze statue of First World War soldier Francis Pegahmagabow, to be installed in Parry Sound.

Pegahmagabow was the most highly decorated First Nations soldier who served in the 1914-1918 conflict.

The sculpture will stand at the Charles W. Stockey Centre for the Performing Arts, overlooking Georgian Bay, with a view of Parry Island, Pegahmagabow’s home.

“Elements of the statue will include a young eagle, symbol of the messenger, and a caribou, symbol of the Deer Clan,” Fauvelle said.

“I want the work to be noble, to show that the spiritual traditions of his people sustained him through the otherworld of war.”

Fauvelle has also created a bronze statue of the late Stompin' Tom Connors, to be installed in downtown Sudbury next July.

For more information about the Francis Pegahmagabow statue project, search for “Francis Pegahmagabow Commemoration 2016” on Facebook.