THE FLAG Flap

On February 15, 1965 Governor General Georges Vanier and Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson raised our new flag at high noon on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. The occassion was solemn with thousands of the public, in attendance, along with politicians from the entire country. The road to this moment however, was filled with passions.

An early concept of a new flag based on the Red Ensign

The first ideas and early concept was based upon the Red Ensign with the Union Jack in the upper corner, red background and a stylized gold maple leaf. We had used the Red ensign for years, originating with a shield portraying symbols from across the country. This shield was modified and simplified along the way.

More modern designers felt blue stripes on either end would depict the ocean on our west and east shores would make a welcome addition. The maple leaf seemed to be a common theme,

The Red Ensign used for Canada until 1928

whether alone or in a cluster.

Further refinements in the shape of the maple leaf occurred as the debate wore on. Until finally we resolved and grudgingly (for some of us) accepted the newest of designs. It was a time of new logos (a new term even then). Traditions were being thrown out the windows....Beatniks, Elvis, the Beatles, the Mama's and the Papa's were drowning out Perry Como.

The flag was raised, as were our glasses in celebration. We've had some bumps and lumps along the

The Red Ensign that was used from '57 - '65

way but here it is 50 years later, respected worldwide and so easy to recognize. It's been to countless Olympic and international events and the pride of a country stands with it alongside those representing this nation.

Here, in Rankin Inlet, at the local hockey arena, our fifty year old friend lies flat against a wall. It's the oldest flag of the three that hang together at centre ice. The most recent is the flag of the Canada's newest territory, Nunavut. I am currently an employee of the Nunavut Government at the Kivalliq Regional Health Centre and, as of friday, have an new email account “RBriggsJude@gov.nu.ca”...and a new mailing address at the KIVALLIQ HEALTH CENRE, Xray Department,1-61 Tupirvik Avenue, P.O. Bag 008, Rankin Inlet, NU    X0G 0G0.

One of the debated designs "from sea to shining sea"

This territory was formed by a division, broken off so to speak, from the old Northwest Territory, and is based primarily upon migration of the caribou and settled land claims. Their new flag features the north star in blue above a red INUKSHUK. The yellow and white shapes has a purpose as well.

The third flag at the arena is the hamlet flag of RANKIN INLET featuring the shaft head of the Rankin Mine as it produced nickel in the early 60's.

Flags are symbols up in the north. They are easy to transport and provide a good method of ensuring representation at an event. People sign flags and carry the town with them as a means of support. In 2008, the entire staff signed my Nunavut territorial flag as I completed my contract and I've kept it as a honoured remembrance of my time at Rankin Inlet.

The three main flags of Rankin Inlet hanging at Centre Ice

My return this week, was marked by faint reminders on thursday, since I was only here a month and people come and go all the time. They did accurately remember the burst pipes, but when I brought out the flag, their eyes lit up as they looked for their signatures. I had asked Sam, if he could find me a ladder and he wanted to give me a short three step, but he eventually found the six foot I needed to decorate my xray room. I went to stores and got some pins from stores and then decorated the wall.

My xray room decor including my "STAFF SIGNED" flag from '08

The Nunavut flag from January 2008, is now proudly hanging in my xray room as a reminder to me of a past visit and the vast education that I received the last time. Hanging next to it, is our 50 year old birthday celebrant. The staff and patients will easily recognize them. But the majority of the staff and, many of my patients, will never have seen the third one that is hanging alongside the others in the group. It's the one that the my associates will be signing, for me, when I leave in the spring. Most of them have never seen an Ontario Flag.