Honouring the Great Ojibway (Part II)

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Thomas E. Peltier "Jomin" (1936-2009)
/Photography: Wanda Nanibush/
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Thomas Elvin Peltier (Ojibway) was born on February 2, 1936 in Wikwemikong Unceded First Nation on Manitoulin Island, Ontario. For generations of Canadian students, Thomas Elvin Peltier's best-selling book 'Bearwalk' provided a window into the world and culture of the First Nations, while for many internationally renowned First Nation artists, actors and writers he provided the early career spark and taught them how to fan that spark into a bonfire that would attract the attention of the world. An author, political activist and educator, Thomas was involved in local and national politics for many years, working under and advising former Prime Ministers Lester B. Pearson, Pierre Elliot Trudeau, Jean Chretien and Paul Martin.
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In the 1960's Thomas Peltier played a critical role in the granting of federal voting rights to First Nations and the development of the Indians of Canada Pavilion at Expo ’67 in Montreal. "The Indian Pavilion" (which was how Thomas Peltier always referred to it) gave the Aboriginal arts scene an enormous international boost as visitors to Montreal that year who came from all around the world were left with a new appreciation of the diverse Canada's First Nations culture.
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He was devoted to the art of his people and founded, with poet and visual artist Duke Redbird, the Manitou Arts Foundation and the Schreiber Island Project in the 1970's. This school gave many well-known Aboriginal painters, musicians and filmmakers their start as professional artists. Thomas Peltier was working on a novel and a history of the Wikwemikong Powwow when he passed into the spirit world on April 5, 2009 at the age of 73.
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* ACC/CCA, Manitoulin Expositor & other sources
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Additional notes: In 1964 the Federal Government of Canada appointed the Quebec author, Yves Thériault, as the first Director of Cultural Affairs for the Department of Indian Affairs. Theriault chose Tom Peltier, an Ojibwe writer from Wikwemikong, Manitoulin Island, as his chief assistant. This energetic team already had made their plans and the day Expo '67 was announced to the people of Canada, they received approval for the "Indians of Canada Pavilion". They called upon the assistance of Tom Hill, a Seneca from the Six Nations Reserve at Brantford, Ontario; Alex Janvier, a Chippewyan (Athapaskan) from Edmonton, Alberta; George Clutesi, a West Coast Native; Gerald Tailfeathers, a Blood Indian from Alberta and Jackson Beardy, a Cree from Manitoba, Further contributions were made by Norval Morrisseau, Carl Ray and Francis Kagige. The cast was complete for the first international show which is now a part of history. Some observers think that Expo '67 was the birth of a viable Native art movement in Canada. Tom Hill said, "We did not recognize it at the time, but it was a pinnacle experience. For the first time Native Canadian painters felt a sense of community in their common destiny and what is also important, the public recognized it too."
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/Additional notes: an excerpt from: "The Sound of the Drum: THE SACRED ART OF THE ANISHNABEC" by Mary E. (Beth) Southcott; Published by The Boston Mills Press; ISBN: 0-919822-64-9/-
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>>> Reference posts:
- Honouring the Great Ojibway (Part I) /Paula Giese/
- Norval Morrisseau and EXPO '67 (Part I),
- Norval Morrisseau and EXPO '67 (Part II) /Ref. George Clutesi/,
- Norval Morrisseau and EXPO '67 (Part III) /Ref. Francis Kagige/ &
- Great Anishinaabe/Woodland Artists (Part XX) /Ref. Francis Kagige & 'Expo '67/.
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