Metis Nation Flags
June 1st, 2008
Design:
Client:
Date: 1816
The flag was first used by Metis fighters in 1816. It is the oldest Canadian patriotic flag indigenous to Canada. As a symbol of nationhood, the Metis flag predates Canada’s Maple Leaf flag by about 150 years.
Both flags use a horizontal figure eight, or infinity symbol. This represents the coming together of two distinct and vibrant cultures, European and indigenous, to produce a distinctly new culture, the Metis. It symbolizes the creation of a new society with roots in both Aboriginal and European cultures and traditions. The sky blue background emphasizes the infinity symbol and suggests that the Metis people will exist forever. The red flag may have been created by Metis employees of the Hudson’s Bay Company (red and white being the traditional colours of the fur trade giant).
The blue flag is the more commonly used signifier, but with the national rebirth of Metis pride and consciousness, both flags were brought back and remain potent symbols of Metis heritage.
Source: Gabriel Dumont Institute
Entry Filed under: Symbols
15 Comments Add your own
1. Rhea | June 3rd, 2008 at 11:00
If I remember correctly the blue version is used during times of peace (red was used for times of uprising). June 21st: National Aboriginal Day.
2. SANDRA BOWMAN | July 28th, 2008 at 15:08
My friend is very excited about obtaining her Metis status. I would like to throw a special celebration for her. I would like to buy a large Metis flag for her. I would like to have this celebration within the next month.
I live in Penticton, British Columbia. Where is the nearest place I can buy a Metis flag?
Is there a website address available?
Is there a location in Victoria, BC?
Thank you.
Sandra
3. Jules Desjarlais | August 15th, 2008 at 10:28
You can possibly order the flag from the museum at Batoche, Saskatchewan. I bought one from there personally for $55.00
4. Jules Desjarlais | August 15th, 2008 at 10:54
Regarding the red and blue Metis Infinity flags, It only make sense that in 1814, during the time of Cutbert Grant, (a respected leader amongst the Metis) was presented by the NWC a blue flag that would represent the Metis Militia and the NWC which was based in Montreal, Quebec by a partnership of Frenchmen. The flag of Quebec was also blue. The English and Scotish Halfbreeds came up with the red flag to show support for the HBC which was based in England by noblemen. Nowhere in the histories of the Metis were the Infinity flags ever mentioned during the resistance of 1869-70 or at Batoche in 1885.
5. Darren | September 25th, 2008 at 07:47
The Metis flag is the oldest flag in Canada. The Metis flew the Red flag first and then the blue one. It had nothing to do with an HBC-NWC thing. The NWC was a fur trade company manned by French Canadians (not Frenchmen) and Scots.
6. Keith | February 25th, 2009 at 16:34
The first flag was Blue and it was presented by NWC to the French speaking Metis. The Red one was created later by HBC and given to English speaking Metis. The flags were used to indicate each NWC/HBC Trading Post. This prevented fighting between the both Metis peoples because if an English speaking Metis went to a French Trading Post (or vice versa) they fought. The Flag’s were used to identify both English and French Metis. If you think about this it makes sense!
7. Kalonjee | March 8th, 2009 at 03:15
You can buy these flags from House of Flags online or at the shop in Vancouver or Edmonton. http://www.hflags.com.
8. Ronald Miller | May 18th, 2009 at 20:54
Hello
I am a vendor. I am a dealer for Sun Twirlers. I have been asked if I could have a Sun Twirler made with the Metis symbol.
The request is from a mother of Metis children an would like to give them as a gift to them to help keep them connected to there heritage.
RSVP re; copywrites
9. Abuse of First Nation &la&hellip | March 6th, 2010 at 15:29
[...] Gabriel Dumont Institute, from Canadian Design Resource, tip to Daniel [...]
10. Abuse of First Nation &la&hellip | March 7th, 2010 at 01:53
[...] Gabriel Dumont Institute, from Canadian Design Resource, tip to Daniel [...]
11. gerald | June 23rd, 2010 at 18:46
i’m intersted on putting my first tattoo on me and i’ve been wanting to put the metis symbol inside of a canada leaf.Any suggestions.It will have the symbol in white(skin color) and the background red of course being its inside of the leaf.
12. Matt | March 10th, 2011 at 20:27
So I seem to have missed the conversation, but according to several academic sources, the red flag was flown first, at the battle of Seven Oaks, while, according to Diane Payment, the blue flag was one of a plethora of flags adopted by the Metis during the 1870 and 1885 resistances.
13. Mike | May 12th, 2011 at 14:33
Yes Matt is correct but both. flag belongs to us Metis so be true to yourself be Metis.
14. o canada: a nation of nat&hellip | July 1st, 2011 at 16:44
[...] info about the fascinating Metis Nation flag from the Canadian Design Resource [...]
15. Curtural Perspectives on &hellip | October 25th, 2011 at 13:11
[...] http://www.simcoe.com/simcoe/article/858195 http://www.canadiandesignresource.ca/officialgallery/symbols/metis-nation-flags/ Share this:TwitterFacebookLike this:LikeBe the first to like this post. Comments RSS [...]
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