Métis flag

The Métis flag was first used by Métis resistance fighters in Rupert's Land before the 1816 Battle of Seven Oaks, having been received as a gift from Alexander MacDonell of Greenfield of the North West Company in 1814, and has been used to represent the political and military force of the Métis from as early as 1816.[1][2] This battle was won by the Métis in Red River.[3] Since this battle the Métis flags have been important in Métis culture.[3]

Metis Flag
UseBlue version
Adopted1814
DesignInfinity symbol on a blue background
Designed byNorth West Company
Variant flag of Metis Flag
UseRed version
Adopted1814
DesignInfinity symbol on a red background

The flag is used in traditional Métis territories in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, and extended into Northern Ontario. The blue background flag has been accepted by the Métis National Council as the official flag of the Métis Nation.[2] The red flag now stands as the provincial ensign for the Métis Nation of Alberta.

Design and symbolism

The flag shows a white infinity symbol on a field of either blue or red. The infinity symbol has two meanings: it represents the faith that the Métis culture shall live on forever, and the mixing of the European immigrants (primarily French) and the First Nations peoples. As such, it can also be perceived as two conjoined circles, standing for the unity of two cultures.[2][4] It was a symbol bringing people together.[5] The flag was a gift from the North West Company,[1] which was responsible for the design of the flag.[5]

History
Hudson's Bay Company Flag

The Métis flag first came into existence in 1816.[2] The flag first appeared at the beginning of the Battle of Seven Oaks.[3] Throughout history in present-day Manitoba there were several flags that have existed. The two red flags represent the North West Company and the Hudson's Bay Company.[5] There was a great amount of competition between the two companies.[5] The competition between the two companies allowed Métis hunters to negotiate.[5]

North West Company Flag

See also

References
  1. "Symbols and Traditions". Métis Nation of Ontario. Archived from the original on 2015-01-09. Retrieved 2015-01-08.
  2. "History of the Metis Flag | Manitoba Metis Federation Inc". www.mmf.mb.ca. Retrieved 2019-02-13.
  3. Gaudry, Adam (Spring 2018). "Communing with the Dead: The "New Métis," Métis Identity Appropriation, and the Displacement of Living Métis Culture". American Indian Quarterly. 42 (2): 162–190. doi:10.5250/amerindiquar.42.2.0162. JSTOR 10.5250/amerindiquar.42.2.0162.
  4. "The Métis flag". Gabriel Dumont Institute(Métis Culture & Heritage Resource Centre). Archived from the original on 2013-07-24.
  5. Racette, Calvin (1987). Flags of the Métis (PDF). Gabriel Dumont Institute.
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