A former OCAD University student and a leader in the indigenous arts community, Joshua (Josh) Peltier passed away on April 20, 2015, in Sudbury, Ontario. Peltier was enrolled in the Faculty of Art from 1998 to 2003. Not long after completing his studies, he returned home to the Wikwemikong First Nation on Manitoulin Island, where he swiftly became a highly regarded painter, sculptor, educator, theatre director, actor and storyteller.
Since 2008, Peltier served as the head of the Visual Arts department at the Debajehmujig Creation Centre in Manitowaning, a community across the bay from Wikwemikong. The facility, opened by the Debajehmujig Storytellers in 2009, is a multidisciplinary creation, production and training centre. Peltier’s responsibilities included curating the centre’s gallery, as well as writing and directing theatre productions.
In addition to his work with the Debajehmujig Creation Centre, Peltier was also a member of The Global Savages. As part of this five-person group, Peltier helped to spread awareness in Canada and internationally of traditional Anishnaabe history, culture and traditions.
The OCAD University community extends sincere condolences to Peltier’s family, friends and community.