![]() All ways of being and thinking, working, playing, and worshipping. I love the symbolism of the many types of people who live here coming together for the good of all. I take Wilson’s words about “standing together in support of each other” to heart. ![]() We took away their heritage, their language, their culture, their spirituality, their land, their very identity.Īt the same time, this Indigenous Flag is a sign of hope for me. We have done a lot of harm: Indian Residential Schools the 60s scoop the relocation of Indigenous Peoples to reserves which were usually the worst and least productive land around. In other words, Indigenous People simply didn’t count as people.Įven though the Anglican Church and many other bodies have repudiated this Doctrine, the sad truth is that we settlers have much to confess and lament. We were bolstered by the Doctrine of Discovery, declared by Pope Alexander VI in 1493, which empowered Europeans to colonize any lands they “discovered.” In short, this Doctrine stated that any such lands populated by inhabitants who were not white or Christian could be treated as “terra nullius,” land which was empty. European settlers came to this continent, arrogantly assuming that it was ours for the taking. It acknowledges the troubled history of how Canada was built as a nation. The killer whale head is surrounded by some traditional use designs called split “U” shapes.” “The design within the maple leaf is a head of a killer whale in the shape of an oval. 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. Kwakwaka’wakw people think of them as a provider and a symbol of fertility and good health. “Salmon are known for dependability and renewal. I would like to see us coming together in the future, not only my First Nations people, but all of Canada. There are as many types of people living here in Canada as there are types of salmon. Salmon seemed the perfect way to convey the importance of family, friendships, and strength in numbers. To quote Curtis Wilson, “The two designs on the red side bands are K’utala–Salmon. The difference is that the red parts of the flag include Indigenous designs. Wilson’s design mimics the Canadian flag, with two red bands on either side of a white field containing a red maple leaf. His goal is to inspire us all to “Stand together in support of each other.” ![]() Wilson tells us on his website (that he created this flag to inspire a sense of inclusiveness. This reflection was inspired by the flag designed by Curtis Wilson of the Kwakwaka’wakw First Nation near Campbell River (see inset). But it also occurred to me that settler society needs healing. I thought about the need for healing in our relationship with Indigenous Peoples. This year, I spent some time on Canada Day reflecting on our history and heritage as Canadians.
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