Proposal To Change the National Canadian Maple Flag
Proposal To Change the National Canadian Maple Flag
The Issue
The Reason For The Proposal
In 2022 many Canadians, from all walks of life, have shown a distain towards our Canada flag. Many feel that the Canadian Flag, once a symbol of pride, has been tarnished. With the discovery of Residential School victims unmarked graves and the flag being used to protest against Covid Mandates spearheaded by known White Supremacists, the Canadian Maple Flag no longer represents all Canadian values or brings representation of the first citizens of this land.
History Of The Canadian Maple Flag
1965 - The Canadian Maple Leaf Flag Is Born
The flag was created because many Canadians wanted a new, distinctive Canadian flag to represent them. In 1960, Lester B. Pearson declared that he was determined to solve what he called “the flag problem.” To Pearson, this issue was critical to defining Canada as a unified, independent country. The maple leaf flag was made official by a proclamation from Queen Elizabeth II on January 28, 1965. On February 15 of that year, it was inaugurated in a public ceremony on Parliament Hill. Thousands of Canadians gathered as the Canadian Red Ensign was lowered and, at the stroke of noon, the new National Flag of Canada was hoisted. Prime Minister Pearson’s words on the occasion resound with hope and determination: “May the land over which this new flag flies remain united in freedom and justice … sensitive, tolerant and compassionate towards all.”
The History of the National Flag of Canada
Indigenous Get a Voice
2007 - 2015 - Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was created to provided those directly or indirectly affected by the legacy of the Indian Residential Schools system with an opportunity to share their stories and experiences. The final report has 94 calls-to-action.
Truth and Reconciliation offers 94 'calls to action'
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada
2021 - Discovery of 1000s of Unmarked Graves of The Residential School Victims
With the discovery of the remains of 215 children found buried at site of former B.C. residential school, thousands more have been discovered around the country. It peeled away a Canadian dark secret that the Canadian Government and the Roman Catholic Church had a hand in. It opened the eyes of Canadians and gave a voice to those victims who have been silenced for so long. Canada could no longer live in denial of the travesties of our First Nations People have endured. Many Canadians refused to celebrate Canada Day on Canada's 154th anniversary of the Constitution Act of 1867 and instead worm orange shirts to show solidarity with the Indigenous communities.
Indigenous Residential School Canada Graves Map
2021 - National Day For Truth and Reconciliation
September 30, 2021 marks the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The day honours the lost children and Survivors of residential schools, their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process. The creation of this federal statutory holiday was through legislative amendments made by Parliament. On June 3, 2021, Bill C-5, An Act to amend the Bills of Exchange Act, the Interpretation Act and the Canada Labour Code (National Day for Truth and Reconciliation) received Royal Assent.
Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day that honours the children who survived residential schools and remembers those who did not. This day relates to the experience of Phyllis Webstad, a Northern Secwepemc (Shuswap) from the Stswecem'c Xgat'tem First Nation, on her first day of school, where she arrived dressed in a new orange shirt, which was taken from her. It is now a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
The Proposed New Canadian Flag
About the Canadian Native Flag
“Standing together in support of each other.”
The Canadian Native flag design was created by Kwakwaka’wakw artist Curtis Wilson
He created this design while sitting at his dinner table thinking about who he was and where he came from. He likedd to describe himself as coming from the four corners of the Kwakwaka’wakw territory. His paternal grandparents come from Axwamees (Wakeman Sound), and We Wai Kai (Cape Mudge); his maternal grandparents come from Ba’as (Blunden Harbour), and Wei Wai Kum (Campbell River).
He had a proud heritage in Canada, to reflect on, which includes among other things: his Great-Great Grandfather, Chief Billy Assu, received Medals of Honour from King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II and one of his great Uncles, Donald Assu, and Aunt (Priscilla Henderson) received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medals in 2013. Chief Billy Assu and his family and fellow Chiefs adopted a National flag in 1956 that contained as its symbol, a maple leaf. His Grandfather James Wilson received medals for his volunteer military service in the European Theater during the Second World War, where many of the non-native soldiers fighting beside him questioned how he could fight for a country that didn’t even recognize him as a person. He replied that he was fighting for his Country. His father James Wilson Jr served our people administratively and politically for his whole life to better the world for his children and grandchildren.
The achievements, character, and work ethic of his family have enabled him to provide his creative thoughts and art to make the world a safer and better environment for his descendants and society as a whole. He strived to help us think of inclusiveness in Canada instead of exclusiveness or as the title suggests: “Standing together in support of each other.”
Throughout his life, he came to learn all the different relationships, interactions, hardships and struggles that First Nations people have faced in this country. This history goes back to time immemorial there have been a lot of negative impacts on both sides. He was a person that always tried to see the glass half full and even with all of the difficult situations we have faced, He had love for the country he lived in and was proud to call himself a Canadian…and First Nations Canadian. He wanted to create a design that represents both his cultural heritage and the country he lived in.
About The Canadian Native Flag
About The Designer - Mulidzas — J. Curtis Wilson (1980-2019)
Mulidzas is the traditional name handed to Curtis Wilson during a family Potlatch held in 2001. Curtis was born and raised in Campbell River. His family comes from the four corners of the Kwakwaka’wakw territory. Curtis’s paternal grandparents came from Axwamees (Wakeman Sound), and Wei Wai Kai (Cape Mudge); his maternal grandparents come from Ba’as (Blunden Harbour), and Wei Wai Kum (Campbell River).
Curtis pushed the envelope and expanded his artistic abilities. He primarily operated privately and had a number of experiences he attributes to his expansions. He worked within the schools offering art classes and working on projects. In 2017 he was invited to be involved in an Art Show which was hosted in the Nanaimo Art Gallery.
He started to carve at small a shed built by his grandfather Sam Henderson Sr., under the instruction of many of his uncles and cousins. Curtis utilized many of the techniques and styles from each and every one of his uncles and cousins. In learning the old styles of his grandfather Sam Henderson Sr., and the new styles of his uncles and cousins, Curtis developed a unique style of his own.
Curtis tragically passed away at the age of 39 leaving behind a young family and a thriving body of work including the Canadian Native Flag.
The symbolism of the Canadian Native Flag
The two designs on the red side bands are K’utala-Salmon. Salmon seemed the perfect way to convey the importance of family, friendships, and strength in numbers.
There are as many types of people living here in Canada as there are types of salmon. I would like see us coming together in the future, not only my First Nations people, but all of Canada.
Salmon are known for dependability and renewal. Kwakwaka’wakw people think of them as a provider and a symbol of fertility and good health. The salmon is the source of life for our people and we depend upon the salmon as our main food source in the past, present, and hopefully the future.
The design within the maple leaf is a head of a killer whale in the shape of an oval. The killer whale head is surrounded by some traditional use designs called split “U” shapes.
About the symbolism of the Canadian Native Flag
Why this New Flag is Important To Canadians
As Canada has become a country with many diverse faces, Canadians need a symbol that brings together the spirit of Indigenous roots and pride we once had as a nation. We need a rebirth. A symbol to show us as a country coming from the ashes like a Phoenix. The old with the new. We believe this new national symbol can show the world we truly believe in “Our home and native land!”
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The Issue
The Reason For The Proposal
In 2022 many Canadians, from all walks of life, have shown a distain towards our Canada flag. Many feel that the Canadian Flag, once a symbol of pride, has been tarnished. With the discovery of Residential School victims unmarked graves and the flag being used to protest against Covid Mandates spearheaded by known White Supremacists, the Canadian Maple Flag no longer represents all Canadian values or brings representation of the first citizens of this land.
History Of The Canadian Maple Flag
1965 - The Canadian Maple Leaf Flag Is Born
The flag was created because many Canadians wanted a new, distinctive Canadian flag to represent them. In 1960, Lester B. Pearson declared that he was determined to solve what he called “the flag problem.” To Pearson, this issue was critical to defining Canada as a unified, independent country. The maple leaf flag was made official by a proclamation from Queen Elizabeth II on January 28, 1965. On February 15 of that year, it was inaugurated in a public ceremony on Parliament Hill. Thousands of Canadians gathered as the Canadian Red Ensign was lowered and, at the stroke of noon, the new National Flag of Canada was hoisted. Prime Minister Pearson’s words on the occasion resound with hope and determination: “May the land over which this new flag flies remain united in freedom and justice … sensitive, tolerant and compassionate towards all.”
The History of the National Flag of Canada
Indigenous Get a Voice
2007 - 2015 - Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was created to provided those directly or indirectly affected by the legacy of the Indian Residential Schools system with an opportunity to share their stories and experiences. The final report has 94 calls-to-action.
Truth and Reconciliation offers 94 'calls to action'
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada
2021 - Discovery of 1000s of Unmarked Graves of The Residential School Victims
With the discovery of the remains of 215 children found buried at site of former B.C. residential school, thousands more have been discovered around the country. It peeled away a Canadian dark secret that the Canadian Government and the Roman Catholic Church had a hand in. It opened the eyes of Canadians and gave a voice to those victims who have been silenced for so long. Canada could no longer live in denial of the travesties of our First Nations People have endured. Many Canadians refused to celebrate Canada Day on Canada's 154th anniversary of the Constitution Act of 1867 and instead worm orange shirts to show solidarity with the Indigenous communities.
Indigenous Residential School Canada Graves Map
2021 - National Day For Truth and Reconciliation
September 30, 2021 marks the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The day honours the lost children and Survivors of residential schools, their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process. The creation of this federal statutory holiday was through legislative amendments made by Parliament. On June 3, 2021, Bill C-5, An Act to amend the Bills of Exchange Act, the Interpretation Act and the Canada Labour Code (National Day for Truth and Reconciliation) received Royal Assent.
Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day that honours the children who survived residential schools and remembers those who did not. This day relates to the experience of Phyllis Webstad, a Northern Secwepemc (Shuswap) from the Stswecem'c Xgat'tem First Nation, on her first day of school, where she arrived dressed in a new orange shirt, which was taken from her. It is now a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
The Proposed New Canadian Flag
About the Canadian Native Flag
“Standing together in support of each other.”
The Canadian Native flag design was created by Kwakwaka’wakw artist Curtis Wilson
He created this design while sitting at his dinner table thinking about who he was and where he came from. He likedd to describe himself as coming from the four corners of the Kwakwaka’wakw territory. His paternal grandparents come from Axwamees (Wakeman Sound), and We Wai Kai (Cape Mudge); his maternal grandparents come from Ba’as (Blunden Harbour), and Wei Wai Kum (Campbell River).
He had a proud heritage in Canada, to reflect on, which includes among other things: his Great-Great Grandfather, Chief Billy Assu, received Medals of Honour from King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II and one of his great Uncles, Donald Assu, and Aunt (Priscilla Henderson) received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medals in 2013. Chief Billy Assu and his family and fellow Chiefs adopted a National flag in 1956 that contained as its symbol, a maple leaf. His Grandfather James Wilson received medals for his volunteer military service in the European Theater during the Second World War, where many of the non-native soldiers fighting beside him questioned how he could fight for a country that didn’t even recognize him as a person. He replied that he was fighting for his Country. His father James Wilson Jr served our people administratively and politically for his whole life to better the world for his children and grandchildren.
The achievements, character, and work ethic of his family have enabled him to provide his creative thoughts and art to make the world a safer and better environment for his descendants and society as a whole. He strived to help us think of inclusiveness in Canada instead of exclusiveness or as the title suggests: “Standing together in support of each other.”
Throughout his life, he came to learn all the different relationships, interactions, hardships and struggles that First Nations people have faced in this country. This history goes back to time immemorial there have been a lot of negative impacts on both sides. He was a person that always tried to see the glass half full and even with all of the difficult situations we have faced, He had love for the country he lived in and was proud to call himself a Canadian…and First Nations Canadian. He wanted to create a design that represents both his cultural heritage and the country he lived in.
About The Canadian Native Flag
About The Designer - Mulidzas — J. Curtis Wilson (1980-2019)
Mulidzas is the traditional name handed to Curtis Wilson during a family Potlatch held in 2001. Curtis was born and raised in Campbell River. His family comes from the four corners of the Kwakwaka’wakw territory. Curtis’s paternal grandparents came from Axwamees (Wakeman Sound), and Wei Wai Kai (Cape Mudge); his maternal grandparents come from Ba’as (Blunden Harbour), and Wei Wai Kum (Campbell River).
Curtis pushed the envelope and expanded his artistic abilities. He primarily operated privately and had a number of experiences he attributes to his expansions. He worked within the schools offering art classes and working on projects. In 2017 he was invited to be involved in an Art Show which was hosted in the Nanaimo Art Gallery.
He started to carve at small a shed built by his grandfather Sam Henderson Sr., under the instruction of many of his uncles and cousins. Curtis utilized many of the techniques and styles from each and every one of his uncles and cousins. In learning the old styles of his grandfather Sam Henderson Sr., and the new styles of his uncles and cousins, Curtis developed a unique style of his own.
Curtis tragically passed away at the age of 39 leaving behind a young family and a thriving body of work including the Canadian Native Flag.
The symbolism of the Canadian Native Flag
The two designs on the red side bands are K’utala-Salmon. Salmon seemed the perfect way to convey the importance of family, friendships, and strength in numbers.
There are as many types of people living here in Canada as there are types of salmon. I would like see us coming together in the future, not only my First Nations people, but all of Canada.
Salmon are known for dependability and renewal. Kwakwaka’wakw people think of them as a provider and a symbol of fertility and good health. The salmon is the source of life for our people and we depend upon the salmon as our main food source in the past, present, and hopefully the future.
The design within the maple leaf is a head of a killer whale in the shape of an oval. The killer whale head is surrounded by some traditional use designs called split “U” shapes.
About the symbolism of the Canadian Native Flag
Why this New Flag is Important To Canadians
As Canada has become a country with many diverse faces, Canadians need a symbol that brings together the spirit of Indigenous roots and pride we once had as a nation. We need a rebirth. A symbol to show us as a country coming from the ashes like a Phoenix. The old with the new. We believe this new national symbol can show the world we truly believe in “Our home and native land!”
40
Petition created on February 13, 2022