Treaty 2 Flag

Description

Treaty 2, signed in 1871, covered a region in southwestern Manitoba and parts of Saskatchewan. Negotiated between the Crown and the Anishinaabe people, the treaty sought to open lands for agriculture and settlement while guaranteeing provisions like reserve land, annual payments, and livelihood support for the Indigenous signatories.

For the First Nations, the treaty was seen as a way to adapt to the encroaching colonial presence and safeguard their way of life. However, many Indigenous leaders emphasized their intent to share, not surrender, their lands—a vision that clashed with the Crown’s interpretation.

Treaty 2 remains significant in ongoing discussions about land use, treaty rights, and reconciliation.

The Treaty 2 Territory Flag is a carefully designed representation of the culture, values, and agreements of the First Nations people in the Treaty 2 Territory. Created collaboratively by community members, elders, leaders, and officials, the flag incorporates several meaningful elements that reflect the heritage and significance of the treaty:

• The Red Outline: Represents the boundaries of Treaty 2 Territory as originally understood by the people during the treaty-making process in 1871 at Manitoba House.
• The Handshake: Symbolizes the spirit of peace, friendship, and shared agreements between the First Nations and the Crown.
• Blue Sections: The blue on the top and in the east symbolizes the sky, while the blue on the bottom and in the west represents water, which is essential for life.
• Green Section: Represents the grass and Mother Earth, acknowledging her role in sustaining life for all beings.
• The Sun: Symbolizes light and positivity, embodying hope and the vibrancy of the territory.
• Dots: Represent the original keepers of the land, identifying the specific communities tied to the territory.
• The Pipe: Reflects the sacred constitution and daily guide for the governance and forward movement of the Sovereign Nation and its territory.

This flag honours the Treaty 2 Territory’s cultural and spiritual identity, reinforcing the commitments made during the treaty’s creation and its ongoing importance to the Anishinaabe Nation.

Additional information