WARNING: This article contains sensitive topics. Those in need of support can call the Ottawa Distress Centre Crisis Line at 613-238-3311.
A country’s flag is a symbol that represents it as a whole and is reflective of a nation’s values. Due to recent protests in Ottawa, Canada’s flag no longer represents the values that the country should be promoting.
The red and white flag has once again been tarnished by Canadians’ actions. To promote concrete progress, change is in order for Canadian symbols.
Since Confederation, the Canadian flag has changed many times, and in light of the recent ‘Freedom Convoy’ protest on Parliament Hill, it is time to change it once again. The flag as we know it today has flown high in Canada since 1965 and has become a symbol of our country’s past—including the hateful and colonialist history our country has.
I first began to see a shift in what the flag represented in 2021, with the discovery of unmarked graves of Indigenous children at former residential schools. Many non-Indigenous Canadians took these findings as an opportunity to learn about Indigenous history and the impact of settler colonialism in Canada. The maple leaf on our flag represents the history and heritage of our country, rooted in stealing Indigenous peoples’ lands and oppressing them.
On July 1, 2021, many Canadians made a futile reach for the beginnings of reconciliation by leaving their red and white at home. Instead, mass media popularized wearing orange to show support for Indigenous people. These actions do not constitute reconciliation—they are far from it. However, for many, it was the first step in their personal journeys to learn more about Indigenous history.
A second shift in my perception of the Canadian flag occurred very recently when ‘Freedom Convoy’ protestors occupied Ottawa for weeks. The convoy flew Canadian flags flipped upside down as a sign of disrespect. However, the flag should only be flipped as a signal of distress, according to Canadian Heritage rules.
Though the protest on Parliament Hill has since been dissolved, the Canadian flag on cars and homes is still closely tied to the negative actions of this group.
I have never been so ashamed of our flag—it has become symbolic more than ever of racism, hate, inequality, injustice and settler colonialism. I find myself looking upon our country’s flag with shame and hate in my heart. It is due time for the country to take action in changing the flag.
Featured image by Spencer Colby.
