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Nishnawbe Aski Nation (Canada)

First Nations

NAN Veterans Flag

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NAN Veterans Flag

image provided by Darrell Neuman, 2 July 2010
Source: http://www.turtleisland.org

Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Stan Beardy, together with Chapleau Cree First Nation Chief Keith Corston, NAN Chiefs and delegates, representative of Veterans Affairs Canada Andre Paquette, Col. Stephan Cadden, the Canadian Forces and the Canadian Rangers, honoured the wartime contributions of Aboriginal veterans with the official unveiling of the NAN Veterans Flag during a special ceremony at the opening of the XXVIII Keewaywin NAN Chiefs Assembly (Aug. 11-13) in Chapleau. (THUNDER BAY, ON, Aug. 11, 2009)

The NAN flag was designed by Aboriginal artist Patrick Cheechoo. It features an Elder veteran holding an eagle staff along with a goose, bear, the rising sun and seven eagle feathers representing honour for veterans, unity and sovereignty of NAN First Nations and the seven sacred teachings. "I am honoured to have designed this image. It was an exercise that has reminded me of something that I should never forget - we must always remember and be thankful for the Nishnawbe Aski Nation Women and Men who fought for our freedoms," said Cheechoo, who was raised in Constance Lake First Nation and currently resides in Thunder Bay. "We have an obligation to our Veterans. It is because of these NAN women and men that we are blessed with daily sunrises in a land where we, the First Peoples, have sovereignty to protect and treasure our culture, our tradition, our birthright." Nishnawbe Aski Nation is a political territorial organization representing 49 First Nation communities in James Bay Treaty 9 and Ontario portions of Treaty 5 - an area covering two thirds of the province of Ontario. For full story, and unrotated, unstretched, etc. image, go to: http://www.turtleisland.org