This is the Survivors Flag.
It is on display at Signal Hill Elementary.
It is an expression of remembrance. It is a powerful art work to meditate on… every single dot and stroke has layers of meaning… some of which is unpacked at https://nctr.ca/exhibits/survivors-flag/, and through words shared from survivors of the residential schools system and policies.
Before you read further, though, I invite you to meditate on the image first. What do you see? What symbols catch your eye? What stands out to you? How does that make you feel?
I think the beauty of this flag and it’s creation process is, in addition to honouring all the lives impacted, it is also an ongoing invitation to notice… and in sharing what we notice, what we’re feeling, what resonates, we build a richer picture of what we could be.
The Survivors’ Flag is an expression of remembrance, meant to honour residential school Survivors and all the lives and communities impacted by the residential school system in Canada. Each element depicted on the flag was carefully selected by Survivors from across Canada, who were consulted in the flag’s creation.
The Family
Some saw the adults as our ancestors watching over us; others saw these as parents signifying whole families ripped apart…Read More…
The Children
More than one child is depicted in the design as often whole sibling groups were taken from their parents, younger…Read More…
The Seeds Below Ground
Represent the spirits of the children who never returned home. Although they have always been present, they are now seen…Read More…
Tree of Peace
Haudenosaunee symbol of how nations were united and brought to peace, which in turn, provides protection, comfort and renewal.Read More…
Cedar Branch
Sacred medicine that represents protection and healing, but also what is used by some Indigenous cultures when one enters the…Read More…
Cosmic Symbolism
Represents Sun, Moon, Stars and Planets. The Sun represents the divine protection that ensure those who survived came home. The…Read More…
The Métis Sash
The Sash is a prominent ceremonial regalia worn with pride. Certain colours of thread represent lives that were lost, while…Read More…
The Eagle Feather
The Eagle Feather represents that the Creator’s spirit is among us. It is depicting pointing upwards which mirrors how it is…Read More…
The Inuksuit
Inuksuit are used as navigational guides for Inuit people and link to tradition.Read More…
Survivors speak on the significance of the flag
This project came about at a time when the grief Survivors carried, as well as that of the families of those who were lost, came back to the surface. The news that children lay in unmarked graves was not unimagineable to us as Survivors because our memories of these schools are marked by abuse, pain, neglect and profound loss. It was important that the design show the missing children are present because there is much work ahead of us and their memory must also be part of that work.The Honourable Levinia Brown, Inuk Survivor who attended Chesterfield Inlet Residential School
Survivors experienced horrific atrocities while prisoners in these institutions. It is important that this image show the love and strength that colonialism tried to steal from us. Despite genocide, we are still here – still fighting for justice and restitution, as true WarriorsDorene Bernard, Mi’kmaq Survivor who attended Shubenacadie Residential School
It was important to include more than one child in the design as often whole sibling groups were taken from their parents, younger siblings, grandparents, and community. The whole family unit was harmed by this system in different ways. This image rewrites our future – it is about hope, healing and family reunification.Janet Longclaws, Ojibway & Dakota Survivor who attended Brandon Residential School
All of creation is rich in symbolism and teachings. For example, the rainbow represents the bridge between the physical and spiritual realm and embodies seven sacred colours which represent our seven sacred teachings. We are at a time when people are trying to speed up reconciliation, but our teachings and our ways of healing are tied the very land that was taken away from us. This design, for me, had to incorporate creation and it had to tell our story. We as Indigenous peoples have to be given opportunities to draft our new narrative as part of the reconciliation process.Albert D. Marshall Sr., Mi’kmaq Survivor who attended Shubenacadie Residential School
As Survivors we have carried the memories of our fellow students who died at residential schools for entire lifetimes. We now acknowledge these little ones woke up the Nation. What is our responsibility to these children now and how do we prevent the world from falling asleep again? Their inclusion in the design not only acknowledges the memory of them, but also reminds others never to forget them.Garnet Angeconeb, Ojibway Survivor who attended Pelican Residential School
Cedar has significant meaning for Indigenous peoples and is used in our ceremonies for healing and protection. Here the Cedar Branch rests above the heads of the children and has seven branches representing seven sacred teachings held by many Indigenous cultures. As a West Coast Survivor, it was important to show the important role our culture and teachings have in healing our Nations.
Barney Williams, Nuu-chah-nulth Survivor who attended Alberni Residential School
I would look at the night sky and wonder if my Mother and family could see the same stars. I felt connected to them as I prayed to go home and I sent my love through the stars. It is important that the design tell our stories as Survivors, including things that we drew strength and comfort from.Kukdookaa Terri Brown, Tahltan Nation, attended Yukon Hall and Coudert Residence
For thousands of years, Inuit used inuksuit as markers for survival and the North Star for navigation. Their inclusion in this design carries this meaning – that our culture withstood colonial onslaught and our traditional ways will continue to guide us.Jack Anawak, Inuk Survivor who attended Chesterfield Inlet Residential School
The colours of the Métis sash is rich with meaning – certain colours represent the lives that were lost, and others represent our connectedness as humans as well as our resilience through trauma. The black thread representing colonialism is small compared to the rest of the sash. It part of my history, but not my whole story. That is the message as Survivors that I hope comes across in this design.Jimmy Durocher, Métis Survivor who attended Île-à-la-Crosse Boarding School in Northern Saskatchewan
In our culture, the Eagle was given the responsibilty of carrying our prayers from the physical to the spiritual realm where the Creator and our ancestors reside. When we hold an Eagle Feather, it causes the Creator to take notice. The Eagle Feather is often depicted pointing downward, but here it points upward as it often did when Survivors held it to speak their Truth during the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.Phyllis Googoo, Mi’kmaq Survivor who attended Shubenacadie Residential School
I was part of the last generation born and raised on the traditional lands of the Inuit before forced relocation into mainstream communities. Inuit children were further relocated and placed in residential schools in regions throughout Canada. Many are not familiar with how Inuit lives were impacted by residential schools, so it was important to see ourselves in an image that honours our Truth as Survivors.Maata Evaluardjuk-Palmer, Inuk Survivor who attended Churchill Residential School
I was delighted to be asked to be part of a national collaboration of Survivors for this project. It is not only important that this design reflect that Inuit were also impacted by the residential school system, but the symbolism of our culture a reminder of the very thing we Inuit Survivors have fought to preserve for our future generations.Edna Elias, Inuk Survivor who attended Stringer Hall Residential School
On the flag, there is an incomplete circle that surrounds this image much in the same way that there are still many Truths to be told before we come close to understanding the impact residential schools had on Survivors, communities and the entire nation. And there is a story yet to be told. We are at a point in time where we have to ask ourselves how we want our future generations to see what actions we have taken towards healing and reconciliation.Eugene Arcand, Cree Survivor who attended St. Michael’s Residential School
In our Anishinaabe culture, Cedar is the medicine we were bathed in when we enter this world. It is also used when one leaves to the spirit world. In this way, it represents the beginning and completion of this journey here on earth.Elder Florence Paynter, Ojibway Survivor who attended Sandy Bay Residential School
One cannot heal in the same environment where trauma occurred, so healing for residential school Survivors requires removal of the colonial and systemic oppression that was designed to steal our language, ceremonies and ways of knowing. It is through the teachings our Elders fought to preserve where I found healing. This flag shows us a path forward where our culture and values are no longer hidden.Elder Philip Paynter, Cree Survivor who attended Sandy Bay Residential School
Parts of the design will speak to people in different ways, and that is okay because we will all relate to certain messages based on our experiences. For me, the seeds represent the spirits of the children – those who did not return home and those who survived what they went through as children. That is an important message – that we were children.Sylvia Genaille, Ojibwe Survivor
Creating a flag in honour of Survivors and those who did not return is very special. For me, the design symbolizes remembrance, hope for family, love and peace. It is a beautiful reminder of where we’ve been and who we are, as well as the goal of where we should be headed.Arthur Steinhauer, Cree Survivor who attended Blue Quills Residential School
The Haudenosaunee Tree of Peace depicts the bringing together of the various Indigenous Nations across Canada as we remember the residential school children. We, as Survivors, can find some comfort and renewal, united in this common goal.Dawn Hill, Mohawk Survivor who attended Mohawk Institute Residential School
Survivors who contributed to the flag concept and design
AJ Felix, St. Michael’s IRS
Albert D. Marshall Sr., Shubenacadie IRS
Andrew Carrier, St. Boniface Industrial School
Arthur Steinhauer, Blue Quills IRS
Barney Williams, Christie IRS
Dawn Hill, Mohawk Institute
Dorene Bernard, Shudenacadie IRS
Edna Elias, Stringer Hall
Eugene Arcand, St. Michael’s IRS
Florence Paynter, Sandy Bay IRS
Garnet Angeconeb, Pelican Residential School
Irma Pangborn, Camperville IRS/Assiniboia
Jack Anawak, Chesterfield Inlet
Janet Longclaws, Brandon IRS
Jimmy Durocher, Ile-a-la-Cross Boarding School
John Elliott, Mohawk Institute
Levinia Brown, Chesterfield Inlet
Lila Bruyere, St. Margaret’s Residential School
Maata Evaluardjuk-Palmer, Churchill IRS
Madeleine Basile, Pointe Bleue Residential School
Philip Paynter, Sandy Bay IRS
Phyllis Googoo, Shubenacadie IRS
Phyllis Webstad, St. Joseph Mission (SJM) Residential School
Richard Kistabish, Amos (Saint-Marc-de-Figuery) Residential School
Richard Lightning, Ermineskin (Hobbema) IRS
Roberta Hill, Mohawk Institute
Roberta Mandamin, Cecilia Jeffrey
Sherlene Bomberry, Mohawk Institute
Sylvia Genaille, Various Schools
Terri Brown, Yukon Hall/Coudert Residence
Wanbdi Wakita, Birtle IRS
The Wellness Almanac 