July — December 2000
Vol. 33 • No. 3-4 July — December 2000 Issue #168 TM SI QUÆRIS PENINSULAM AMŒNAM, CIRCUMSPICE
“If you seek a pleasant penninsula, diately followed by a Parade of Flags See KEY to photo on page 2. look around you,” the state motto of through the MSU Campus. Jul-Dec 2000 Michigan, took on a special mean- Presentations were excellent, and ing for the NAVA members who at- included the Driver winner “Michi- INSIDE THIS ISSUE: tended the 34th Annual Convention gan Flags Project” by Kevin NAVA 34 Retrospective & Photo held October 6-8, 2000 in Lansing, Harrington, and presentations by Dr. Neighborhood Flags Editorial the capital of that state. A most wel- Henry Moeller, David LeGallant (read Physiology of Flags Vexibits come trip to the State Capitol that by Andy Biles), John Purcell, Kennedy’s Flags New Flags featured a tour of the Historic Flag Beatrice Jones, Dick Gideon, Gus The Whiskey Flags Vexilliana Archive was the highlight of the week Tracchia and John Schmale. A video Iroquois Observations Comments end. presentation of 4 year old vexi-whiz Native Symbols in Eastern Canada Held on the Campus of Michigan kid Hunter Blain and a French movie Coast Guard Ensign Funny Times State University, the meeting took “Drapeaux” were also shown. New RCMP Division Flag place in the Kellog Center, a first- Next year’s meeting is now being Members in the News Chumley class facility. planned for Hampton Roads, Vir- 2000-01 Officers Flag Art The convention opened with the ginia. Make your plans now! NAVA New Georgia Flag New Stamps usual flag raisings and was imme- Conventions are too good to miss! NAVA 34 Photos Letters —1— NAVA News 33/3-4 EDITORIAL Members and readers will no doubt have noticed the lateness of this publication. Following the An- nual Convention, which took consid- erable time from other things, your President/Editor was involved with the production of Raven 7, which you will see shortly, and we believe it is one of the best ever. This issue, a double issue, brings us close to being on schedule. You can help. Send in your articles (pref- erably on disk or by email), short bits, letters to the editor, etc. We are also contemplating some additional features. Any one who is interested in helping, we are look- ing for a Book Review Editor (we get many books and would like some- KEY TO NAVA 34 PHOTO ON PAGE 1 one to read them and comment), a 1. Truman Pope; 2. Kevin Harrington; 3. Tom Gregg; 4. Carita Culmer; Members in the News Editor, and a 5. Patricia Edwards; 6. Joyce Schmale; 7. Dave Martucci; 8. David Ott; New Flags Editor. If you are inter- 9. Lou Ellen Compton; 10. Martin Francis; 11. Beatrice Jones; 12. John ested, please email [email protected]. Schmale; 13. Gus Tracchia; 14. Larry Fast; 15. Bernie Couture; 16. Lee Also note that we have started a Herold; 17. Henry Moeller; 18. David Breitenbach; 19. Robert Kidd; “Members Only” area on our web 20. Christine Kidd; 21. Kerry Chartkoff; 22. Rich Kenny; 23. Peter Edwards; site. Some of the material in this is- 24. Bob Coykendall; 25. Kevin Murray; 26. Janet Martucci; 27. John Purcell; sue, in color, will be posted there. If 28. Kin Spain; 29. Richard Monahan; 30. Whitney Smith; 31. Andy Biles; you have not yet received your ac- 32. Peter Kindermann; 33. Joe Donovan; 34. Mark Ritzenhein; 35. Dick cess code, contact [email protected] as Gideon; 36. Harry Oswald; 37. Glen Compton; 38. Pam Fast; Not Pictured: Peter Orenski and Sam Wilson. well.
, Norfolk VA, 12 Sept. 2000, page B3 VA, , Norfolk
The Virginian-Pilot
—2— July — December 2000 THE PHYSIOLOGY OF FLAGS—A HYPOTHESIS by William Trinkle
This brief article is grounded upon front of an auditorium, again “above actions of raising the eyes upward a basic assumption. Flags are a form our heads”. It is standard in Chris- and/or of tilting the head backward of symbolic expression which have tian churches, and not uncommon toward the neck there are physiologi- existed throughout recorded history, in other religious experience, that cal changes in the body which re- and quite possibly before. An “ulti- the “holy place,” the altar, is raised sult in an experience of what is above mate” question, possibly “the” ulti- above the general floor level of the us in different and more positive mate question is why? Just what is church, requiring at least a tilt of the manner than we perceive objects at it about flags which have given this head or eyes upward. Humankind our level of sight or below. Not being method of expression not only its has always looked upward to the a scientist, the writer can only guess longevity in human experience, but sky, the night sky with its stars, at the possibilities. Could it be that its increasing popularity. Here, it is moon, planets and the day sky with looking up has an effect upon the postulated that there very well may its sun, clouds and blueness and blood flow to the brain or elsewhere be a physiological basis for the perceived the sky with awe. To see which results in the special experi- meaning which humankind has had the sky one must look up. Christians ence of up? This effect could either no difficulty experiencing in the us- at least symbolically look to the sky be a constriction of blood flow or an age of flags. as the location of “heaven”. What is increase in such flow. Is it that one Humans experience the universe it about up that we apprehend as or more of the up actions causes via their senses — sight, sound, somehow special, and does this up some type of alteration in the pro- smell, touch, taste — and through factor also apply to flags flying in the duction of one or more hormones? their emotions and thoughts. The wind? The writer believes that the Is there some sort of pressure placed writer at some distant time recalls up element does apply to flags and upon one or more of the bodies or- learning that the sense of sight is is a facet of what has provided flags gans which has some effect which our primary sense. It is the sense with their establishment among the results in the unique experience of through which we experience in a inherent symbolic expressions of what it is that is up? cognizant manner the world around homo sapiens. But what is it about It must be left to the scientists in us. A flag is unquestionably a man- up? our midst to answer the physiologi- ner of expression which The writer has no medical, nor cal questions regarding the up fac- predominanthly appeals to the sense physiological education or experi- tor of human experience. However, of sight. There is little experience of ence of any nature upon which to the writer does not believe that it is flags which is typically experienced ground the hypothesis, and yet be- much of a leap of faith to say that through the senses of smell, touch lieves the up factor may be able to looking upward toward our flags fly- or taste and the sound of a flag in be explained by the nature of the ing in the wind has played a signifi- the wind, while significant, is a sec- human body, and specifically of the cant role in the development of flags ondary perception. head, neck and eyes. Specifically, it as a common method of symbolic Flags are predominantly experi- is postulated that in the physical expression by humanity. enced flying from a flag pole or mast, above our heads. It is this “above our ADDITIONAL 18th C. US FLAG IMAGE heads” which leads the writer to hy- The entry in the survey should pothesize a physiological factor in read: the pervasive use of flags. When we 23.1 American Colours in Heraldry think or feel of another human be- by William Fox (manuscript) ing as a hero or model or mentor, British; 1785; Original in the files we describe this reaction as “look- of the Flag Research Center. ing up” to the hero. As children, our This watercolor painting includes shortness in stature physically re- the heraldic blazon. quires that we actually look up to Stars: 13 multipointed (probably our parents and the other adults intended to be 8-pointed) de- with whom we have contact. The scribed as W, arranged in rows of writer undertands that among our An additional contemporary 18th 3-2-3-2-3 (staggered). presidential candidates in the United Century image of the United States Canton: B, extends to the 4th States, the taller candidate almost Flag has come to light to add to the stripe. “Rests” on a R stripe. always wins. Our popular heroes, Survey published in the last issue Stripes: 13 described as R-W, 7 R entertainers, are experienced in per- of NAVA News. It is from a hand and 6 W. son typically on a raised stage at the drawn manuscript in the FRC files. Image source:FB XII:2, Summer 1973, pg. 57. —3— NAVA News 33/3-4 VV EE XX II BB II TT SS by John H. Gámez The New York Times. March 5, Braggs headquarters flag” sold for that the flag tattoo would be too con- 2000. Southern “nationalists” waved $17, 600 at an auction in Delaware, troversial to enter into evidence. Confederate flags a day before Presi- OH. In addition to the flag was at- (Submitted by Charles A. Spain, Jr.) dent Clinton was to appear in Selma, tached a note describing its capture Houston Chronicle. Jan 29, 2000. AL to mark the 35th anniversary of and a letter and diagram submitted The battle rages unabated. Letters “Bloody Sunday”, a civil rights dem- by Howard Michael Madaus. (Sub- to the editor published on this date onstration marred by beatings of mitted by Elizabeth Hardy) were heavily in favor of Laura Bush, marchers who turned out to support The Press Journal (Vero Beach, then First Lady of the State of Texas, voting rights legislation. (Submitted FL). Oct, 31, 1999. Safely behind for- when she commented that the Con- by Anna K. Weisz). tifications and UN peacekeeping federate flag is not a racist symbol. The Oregonian. Aug. 18, 1999. In troops, Indonesian troops solemnly (Submitted by Charles A. Spain, Jr.) an effort to instill patriotism in the lowered their national flag with little Houston Chronicle. Feb. 1, 2000. post-“Baby Boomer” age, the Oregon pomp or ceremony after East Timor Texas state legislators rallied against legislature has mandated that all won its struggle for independence. the placement of a Confederate me- students recite the Pledge of Alle- (Submitted by Bernard Couture, Sr.) morial on the grounds of the Grimes giance at least once a week. This has The Orlando Sentinel. Oct. 22, County Courthouse. The controversy caused a problem as school officials 1999. The designer of the flag of the swirls around the use of the Con- aren’t sure if there are enough flags People’s Republic of China, identi- federate flag. Periodically, the rifle for display in every classroom in the fied only as Zeng, died at the 82 in held by the statue of a soldier will state. Veterans groups in the state Shanghai. He designed the flag af- be replaced by a pole flying a Con- have pledged their assistance in try- ter it was announced that the new federate flag. (Submitted by Charles ing to round up enough flags for ev- Communist government needed a A. Spain, Jr.) ery classroom. (Submitted by Ted flag for the nation. (Submitted by New York Times. Jan. 7, 2000. Kaye) Bernard Couture, Sr.) In a letter to the editor, Jeremy E. Mail Tribune (Medford, OR). Nov. The Orlando Sentinel. Sep. 26, Meyer of Haverford, PA analyses the 12, 1999. Virtual reality takes a new 1999. Displaying what is described statement made by Representative meaning in Jackson County, OR. as a lavender banner, the Mexican Lindsay Graham in his defense of the Due to a shortage in flags for class- gay community held their first rally Confederate flag over the south rooms, students at North Medford to pray for tolerance. The demonstra- Carolina statehouse. He writes, “… High School are saluting a televised tion was held in front of the Basilica Mr. Graham voiced understanding flags for each day’s Pledge of Alle- of the Virgin of Guadalupe. (Submit- for the view that the flag should be giance. (Submitted by James White) ted by Bernard Couture, Sr.) flown so that white men will not feel Northern Territory News (Dar- Florida Today. Oct. 31, 1999. oppressed. It seems that all this talk win, NT, Australia). August 24, 1999. Congress amended the flag code to about states’ rights is really what Protestors in Jakarta, Indonesia include the Martin Luther King, Jr. critics have said all along: a veiled were beaten and then arrested when holiday as a day to display the flag. reference to race.” (Submitted by they burned the flag of the ruling Due to an oversight, the flag code Anna K Weisz) Golkar Party outside the presiden- was not amended to include this New York Times. Dec 5, 1999. tial palace. (Submitted by Ronald holiday, which is held on the third Economics rather than racial har- Strachan) Monday of January. (Submitted by mony may be the deciding factor on The Toronto Star. Oct. 28, 1999. Bernard Couture, Sr.) what my end the official use of the Comedian Tom Green incensed his Houston Chronicle. Jan. 29, Confederate battle flag by southern fellow Canadians by burning a Ca- 2000. Two African-American em- states. Many businesses would not nadian flag on his The Tom Green ployees of the city of Houston lost a locate in Alabama due to racial ten- Show, which airs on MTV. He was suit against that city claiming that sion and the state’s use of Confed- assisted in this act by fellow Cana- they were passed over for promotion erate symbols. Once the symbols dian/comedian Scot Thompson of due to their race. They were denied came down big business moved in. the Kids In The Hall fame. (Submit- the opportunity to enter into evi- Southerners realize in a global mar- ted by Peter Edwards) dence a confederate flag tattoo on ket place there may be not place for AntiqueWeek. Nov. 22, 1999. A their white supervisor. U.S. District romantic notions of a glorious rebel flag of the Confederate First National Judge Nancy Atlas was concerned past. (Submitted by Anna K. Weisz) pattern and identified as “General —4— B July — December 2000
W R W R W
BB NEW FLAG WAVES FOR GWAV The Great Waters Association of arranged in a “V” shape, for Vexillology (GWAV) has altered their “Vexillology”. A fifth stripe, in white, flag. Originally formed to represent the color of the State Flag of Illinois the vexillologists of Indiana, Ken- has been added on the admission of Lee Kennedy holding a U.S. tucky, Michigan and Ohio on a local Illinois to the Association. Flag of 13 stars, circa 1850. level, the State of Illinois was voted GWAV is a member of FIAV, pub- The flag measures approxi- into membership on May 7, 2000. lishes FlaGWAVer twice a year and mately 3 x 5 feet, is made of The original flag, designed in 1991 holds meetings also twice a year. bunting, stars are inset and by John Purcell, was blue, suggest- Dues are US$5 for Active members, ing the waters of the Great Lakes and US$2 for Associate members outside canton “rests” on a red stripe Ohio River for which GWAV is named the region in the US and Canada, (6 stripes next to canton, 7 be- and is a color found in all four of the and US$3 elsewhere. Contact Peter low). Grace Cooper dated this state flags of those represented in J. Kinderman, Treasurer, 3075 flag at the NAVA 27 meeting in GWAV in 1991. Across the flag were Madison Rd, Cincinnati OH 45209 Portland ME (1993). This flag four alternate red and white stripes USA. was bought in Trenton, Maine, and believed to have come from Machais, Maine originally.
Y,W,B/W/B NEW US POSTAL SERVICE FLAG Jim Croft of Northampton sent us ing above from the photo. Specifica- a photo of the new United States tions are not available but we based Another gem from Lee Postal Service Flag being raised in the drawing on the 3 by 5 foot flag Kennedy’s collection, a relic of December, 2000 in Hadley, Massa- actually raised. More information chusetts. We have made the draw- will be published when available. the U.S. Centennial celebration. —5— NAVA News 33/3-4 THE WHISKEY FLAGS An intoxicating look into a sobering subject By Richard R. Gideon The Whiskey Rebellion, or Whiskey debts of the individual states. In western citizens had three goals; 1) Insurrection, is often portrayed as a 1791 Congress placed an excise tax they wanted the Army to put down local riot over a tax on Whiskey. This on whiskey; an idea suggested by the Indian raids, which were occur- is only partially true; while the en- Secretary of the Treasury Alexander ring more frequently than they had forcement action took place in one Hamilton as a measure to help re- during the Revolution; 2) they area – western Pennsylvania – oppo- tire the national debt.1 While East wanted the Mississippi river - then sition to the tax occurred in the west- Coast distilleries made almost no controlled by Spain - opened to navi- ern regions of every state from Penn- objection to the excise, farmers on gation, thus allowing western farm sylvania to Georgia, and the state of goods and furs to be polled down the Kentucky. And while Ohio and Mississippi to this article focuses on New Orleans; and 3) events in Pennsylva- frontiersmen in various nia, there were interna- areas of the country tional intrigues that far wanted to incorporate transcended Whiskey, into their own States. and reached into the This had actually hap- Washington adminis- pened in western North tration itself. The Whis- Carolina; in 1784 the key Rebellion involved people there formed the concepts of government State of Franklin, elect- that are still debated to ing a governor and rep- this day. Many of the resentatives. In western issues raised during Pennsylvania the pro- the event would resur- posed State was to be face 67 years later in called Westsylvania.4 It the American “Civil was this last aspect - a War”. the frontier - which was anything desire for local autonomy - that In writing about the flags used west of the Allegheny Mountains - made many officials in both state during the Whiskey Rebellion the immediately took the tax as a per- and federal governments very ner- vexillologist faces a daunting task. sonal assault2. These hardy western vous. States were not enthusiastic First, this important event in men were mostly of English, Scots, about giving up large portions of America’s history is almost univer- Irish, or Scots-Irish origin, and op- their territory. New territorial gov- sally unknown or poorly understood. position to excise taxes was part of ernments in what were now buffer Therefore it is necessary to spend their heritage3. Whiskey was not only zones might seek alliances with considerable time studying the so- the drink of choice amongst the in- Spain or Britain. Indeed, there were cial and political climate of the habitants of the West, but it served, already reports of overtures being 1790’s in order to understand the as one wit put it, as money, medi- made to and by local leaders in west- role flags played on both the “rebel” cine, and mendacity. Many western ern Pennsylvania and Kentucky.5 and federalist sides. Second, there distillers did not pay the excise, and The federal government, for its are few actual flags from that event if arrested had to make expensive part, recognized the value of west- that have survived to this day. For- trips to Philadelphia for trial. But the ern lands and the need to move pro- tunately, the participants described Whiskey tax was just part of a grow- duce to more commercially lucrative both flags and signs used during the ing unrest in the west. markets. George Washington had unrest. A short article such as this By 1794 many frontiersmen had proposed a canal between the one will leave many details un- become disenchanted with the fed- Monogehelia and Potomac rivers; a touched, but hopefully it will adduce eral government. Frontiersmen were, project he supported all his political enough salient points to at least for the most part, desperately poor, life. But recognizing the value of make an impression. and many did not own land. Money western inhabitants was another HISTORY was hard to come by; farmers didn’t matter. They were not very highly see $20 a year in hard currency. Liv- thought of by many of the officials With the Revolutionary War over, ing conditions had actually deterio- of the new federal government, in- the newly created Federal govern- rated from the time of the Revolu- cluding Washington, and almost ment decided to assume the war tionary War. To improve their lives, anyone else in the more civilized —6— July — December 2000 East.6 The diary of a woman who McFarlane. The request sparked a Parkinson’s Ferry meeting, made the trip into the frontier is full two-day confrontation between sol- Crumrine describes “..a liberty pole, of frank observations about western diers sent from Ft. Pitt to protect from which floated a flag bearing the farmers, whom she called “ignorant, Neville. On the second day shots inscription, ‘Equal Taxation and no drunk, dirty, blasphemous, and were exchanged and McFarlane was Excise – No Asylum for Traitors and about as wild as the Indians.”7 One killed. Momentarily stunned, partici- Cowards.’”14) of the favorite pastimes of western pants on the militia side cried foul, Brackenridge’s son, Hugh Marie, men was eye gouging, which oc- saying that McFarlane had been would write later of ‘stars’ in the flag. curred regularly during Sunday lured out into the open by what he When President Washington sent morning contests of manhood. thought was a request for a confer- commissioners on a fact-finding trip Enter now the excise tax. And ence. Bewilderment soon turned to to Pittsburgh, “A riotous and disor- while the western farmer may not rage, and the Neville home, barn, & derly assemblage raised a liberty have been able to read or write, he some slave quarters were burned to pole before the lodgings of the com- did know an assault on liberty when the ground. missioners, and would have run up he saw it. In turn he assaulted the a flag with seven stars for the four tax collector, using such time-hon- western counties, and for Bedford ored techniques as verbal and physi- and the two counties of Virginia, but cal intimidation, tar and feathers, this was prevented by the well dis- and selective house burnings. The posed citizens, who prevailed on propertied and educated men of the them to substitute the flag of the fif- Pittsburgh region were not as pyretic teen States.”15 Thomas P. Slaughter, as their country neighbors, but most in an exhaustive study of the post of them were against the excise as revolutionary period, speaks of ‘rebel well.8 Most, that is, except for a few flags’ flying throughout the western friends of George Washington. One Pennsylvania area. of Washington’s boyhood friends, FLAGS Another respected researcher, An- John Neville, owned about 1,000 Even prior to the attack at the thony A. Martin, wrote an article 9 acres of land along Chartiers cheek. Neville plantation protest flags had about Whiskey flags for the National He built a large clapboard home – started to make their appearance. Flag Foundation’s (NFF) “The STAN- 16 the country inhabitants called it a According to Leyland Baldwin, DARD BEARER” magazine. Martin, mansion – on Bower Hill, about 7 “Liberty poles bearing devices such Director Emeritus of the Carnegie miles Southwest of Pittsburgh. as the familiar revolutionary emblem Library of Pittsburgh, and a librar- Neville had been a General in the of a snake divided, or with inscrip- ian and researcher for NFF, drew Revolutionary Army and was once tions such as ‘An Equal Tax, and No upon the works sited above, plus popular with the locals; a man noted Excise’, were being erected at many many others, including those of for his charity and opposition to the places in the Monongahela coun- Charles S. Storer and Richard T. Commonwealth’s excise tax. But try.”12 After Neville’s home was Wiley. Storer’s book, “The Tinker’s when he supported Washington and burned the rebels held several meet- Diary,” has one of the better descrip- became the chief excise collector he ing to discuss their options. At one tions of the stripped flag, noting that became just another rich, slave- gathering they raised a “liberty pole” at one meeting of the rebels a flag of 10 holding aristocrat. with a flag featuring six bars and six “six stars and six bars” was unfurled, Events came to a head in July of stars. Hugh Henry Brackenridge, a “while yet another had 7 stars and 7 1794 when Neville led United States moderate who was opposed to both bars, representing 5 Pennsylvania 17 Marshal David Lennox to the farm the tax and the violence, specifically counties and 2 Virginia counties.” of William Miller. The marshal pro- mentions this flag in a book he wrote Martin’s case for the stripped flag is posed to serve Miller with a writ to about the rebellion. “At Parkinson’s compelling; however, the record 11 appear in Philadelphia and answer Ferry, I think it was the morning of shows that even this was not the charges of refusing to enroll his the second day, one was raised with only flag associated with the rebels. Whiskey still. Men working in the a flag with six stripes, emblematical The works of Crumrine, Findley, fields got wind of what was happen- of the six counties thee repre- Brackenridge, newspaper accounts, ing, and with rifles in hand raced sented.”13 Nailed to the liberty pole and local diaries mention several toward Neville and the marshal. was a board on which was inscribed types of flags; some bearing emblems Shots rang out, but no one was hit the following words: EQUAL TAXA- such as snakes, and others simply and the pair beat a hasty retreat. TION AND NO EXCISE - NO ASY- bearing words. The one they don’t Another popular Revolutionary War LUM FOR TRAITORS AND COW- mention, however, is a flag that ac- hero, Captain James McFarlane, led ARDS. (In his book, “The History of tually exists, mounted in a frame, the local militia to Neville’s mansion, Washington County,” Boyd and hanging on the wall in the bar demanding that Neville quit his post Crumrine notes that this “motto” of the Century Inn in Scenery Hill, and turn over all excise records to appeared on a “flag.” Referring to the Continued on page 8 —7— NAVA News 33/3-4 Pennsylvania. blue fields with the Arms of the to toast the success of the “Whiskey A blue field flag of modest dimen- United States painted or embroi- Boys” in front of a squad of soldiers. sions, it contains the device of an dered upon them, could the Scen- President Washington himself led eagle holding a ribbon it its beak, ery Hill flag have some relationship the troops to Bedford, PA, then and thirteen six-pointed stars scat- to the Federal army and not the rebel turned the army over to General tered about the field. Sold in flag one? One might argue against this Henry “Light Horse Harry” Lee, a fel- stores across America, this flag has theory on the basis of the flag’s low Virginian and one of for years been associated with the rather small size; however, there are Washington’s favorite generals dur- Whiskey Rebellion. Part of the rea- many 18th century Army regimental ing the Revolution.22 The whole epi- son for this is the description of it flags that do not measure the cus- sode turned into an anti-climax - by given by Admiral William Furlong in tomary six feet square. the time the army arrived in Pitts- his book “So Proudly burgh the rebellion had We Hail,” published burned itself out, and by the Smithsonian many of the local actors Institution. In his had moved on to Ken- comments Furlong tucky or other western says that it is “an un- regions. usual flag, believed to This type of law en- be used by the Whis- forcement helped turn key Rebels…”.18 But westerners toward the Martin points out that new Democratic-Repub- no contemporary ac- lican Party of Thomas counts mention this Jefferson; himself dis- flag. In his article trustful of powerful cen- Martin says, “Several tral governments. How- facts support my ever, it established once theory that the Scen- and for all the power of ery Hill flag was, at the new government to best, a relatively minor raise money by taxation. Whiskey Rebellion The Whiskey Rebellion flag, and most likely shook the Washington designed and pro- Traditional Whiskey Rebellion Flag, original pictured in “So Proudly Administration. Wash- duced post-rebel- We Hail” by Furlong and McCandless/Langley. Note this flag is painted ington wrote both pub- lion.”19 Martin makes on one side only. licly and in his diary several points to support his theory, WASHINGTON RESPONDS about the danger to order posed by but his major point - that the sym- the insurgents. At the time of the bolism is wrong - cannot be easily The Whiskey Rebels had proposed action in western Pennsylvania the dismissed. Remember that we are to march on Pittsburgh and take Ft. French Revolution was in full swing, discussing a flag used by poor farm- Pitt, but two important things hap- and the frontiersman identified with ers and radicals, possessed of lim- pened: First, the rebel leaders de- the French radicals. The US govern- ited resources. The Scenery Hill flag cided to put on a show a force in- ment would later take drastic mea- is made of silk, with an intricate Fed- stead of assaulting the fort; and sec- sures to insure order in the new eral pattern. ond, the citizens of Pittsburgh country, adopting the Alien and Se- The vexillologist may look at the passed out free Whiskey to the rebels dition Acts. Washington had prob- Scenery Hill flag and wonder when they arrived, and told them lems in his own administration over whether he or she hasn’t seen it they were on their side. But by this both the “Whiskey Boys” and inter- time, however, Washington had had national relations. A letter from the someplace before. Grace Rogers Coo- 21 per, in her monograph entitled “Thir- enough. He sent 12,950 hastily French Minister to his government teen-Star Flags, Keys to Identifica- organized states’ militia across the fell into Washington’s hands. The let- tion,” writes of the fabric used by the mountains from Carlisle, Pennsylva- ter was full of critical remarks made Army in the late 18th century. Her nia and Cumberland, Maryland, to by Secretary of State Edmund conclusion is that the two predomi- put down the rebellion. The march Randolph against Washington’s han- nate materials were silk and wool. began in September with troops that dling of the Whiskey affair. Washing- She also notes the use of the “eagle- were about as disciplined as the ton confronted Randolph, and the and-star canton” in post-Revolution- “Whiskey Boys”, and only half of Secretary of State resigned. 20 them made it to Pittsburgh. Along ary War flags. According to Cooper, CONCLUSION the earliest use of “thirteen stars and the way they managed to kill two eagle” stripped flags is 1784. Since innocent people; a young boy and an The historical record makes it clear Army regimental flags were often just intoxicated man who had the nerve that there were several different types of flags used during the Whis- —8— July — December 2000 key Rebellion. And it is also clear tution Press, 1973. 7. “The Whiskey Rebellion” by that while the bulk of the enforce- Crumrine, Boyd: History of Washing- Thomas Slaughter ment action took place in western ton County, PA. Published by L.H. 8. The Commonwealth had repealed Pennsylvania, ‘rebel flags’ could be Everts & Co., 1882 its own Whiskey excise law, with found in other states as well. Flags Gideon, Richard R.: Family Geneal- lawmakers calling it used in western Virginia and west- ogy (Note: Some of the author’s “unenforceable.” ern Maryland have been docu- family members were involved in 9. Washington himself owned 70,000 mented by contemporary writers, the Whiskey Rebellion) acres of prime frontier land. and make a tempting research sub- Martin, Anthony A.: NFF Special Re- 10. The Commonwealth had enacted ject for the vexillologist. That the port – The Whiskey Rebellion, The a gradual emancipation (1 March Whiskey Rebellion was a major event Standard Bearer. Published by the 1780) which phased in freedom of its day is an understatement, and National Flag Foundation over a 28 year period. Although it that it is not well studied and un- Slaughter, Thomas P.: The Whiskey is beyond the scope of this article, derstood is a national disgrace. And Rebellion. Published by Oxford slavery had a sidebar role to play with that I will let President Wash- University Press, 1986 in the Whiskey Rebellion. ington have the last word: Storer, Charles S.: The Tinker’s Di- 11. The federal government had “This Government, the offspring of ary, Elizabeth, PA rescinded the requirement to your own choice uninfluenced and The Pittsburgh Gazette: Various pub- appear in a federal court, unawed, adopted upon full investi- lications from 1791 to 1795 permitting the accused to be tried gation and mature deliberation, com- in local courts. However, for some pletely free in its principles, in the reason writs served during the distribution of its powers, uniting se- FOOTNOTES summer of 1794 still required a curity with energy, and containing 1. Some historians believe that Philadelphia court appearance. within itself a provision for its own Hamilton knew the tax would be 12. “Whiskey Rebels” by Leland D. amendment, has a just claim to your unpopular and was spoiling for a Baldwin, p103 confidence and your support. Respect fight in order to prove the 13. “Incidents of the Insurrection” by for its authority, compliance with its superiority of the federal Hugh Henry Brackenridge, p137 laws, acquiescence in its measures, government. 14. History of Washington County by are duties enjoined by the fundamen- 2. The tax was based on the still’s Boyd Crumrine, p287 tal maxims of true liberty. The basis capacity and was collected at the 15. “History of the Western of our political systems is the right of source, on not on sales. Most Insurrection” by Hugh M. the people to make and to alter their farmers did not have the ready Brackenridge, page 195. It is constitutions of government. But the cash to pay the tax in advance. interesting to note that the 15 star constitution which at any time exists 3. The English Civil War of the 1600’s – 15 striped US flag was not till changed by an explicit and au- was, in some substantial part, due officially adopted at this time, yet thentic act of the whole people is sa- to excise taxes on farm products. Brackenridge describes it is as credly obligatory upon all. The very The American Revolution started being flown by in the Summer of idea of the power and the right of the with “No Taxation without 1794. people to establish government pre- Representation.” 16. January-February, 1995 supposes the duty of every individual 4. The state of Westsylvania was an 17. “NFF SPECIAL REPORT – THE to obey the established government.” idea first proposed in the summer WHISKEY REBELLION” by ...... GEORGE WASHINGTON of 1776. Anthony A. Martin, p9 5. The intrigues of frontier leaders 18. “NFF SPECIAL REPORT – THE BIBLIOGRAPHY and their foreign contacts are well WHISKEY REBELLION” by Baldwin, Leland B.: Whiskey Rebels: documented; a recommended Anthony A. Martin, p9 A Story of a Frontier Uprising. Pub- source is the book “The Whiskey 19. “NFF SPECIAL REPORT – THE lished by the University of Pitts- Rebellion” by Thomas Slaughter WHISKEY REBELLION” by burgh Press, 1939 6. While outnumbered by farmers, Anthony A. Martin, p10 Brackenridge, Hugh H.: Incidents of it is often overlooked that there 20. “Thirteen-Star Flags” by Grace the Insurrection in the Western were many highly educated men Rogers Cooper, the Smithsonian Parts of Pennsylvania in the Year living amongst the western Institution Press, 1973. 1794. Published by John peoples; Hugh Brackenridge and 21. More troops than Washington McCulloch Philadelphia, 1795. Rev. John McMillan, to name just commanded during the whole of Brackenridge, Hugh H.: Law Miscel- two, were graduates of the College the Revolutionary War. lanies. Published by P. Byrne, of New Jersey (Princeton). Albert 22. Lee’s son, Robert Edward, would Philadelphia, 1814. Gallatin, a Swiss Aristocrat turned also make a trip to Pennsylvania Cooper, Grace Rogers: Thirteen-Star republican, lived in an even more one day, as commander of the Flags, A Key to Identification. Pub- remote area some 50 miles south Army of Northern Virginia. lished by the Smithsonian Insti- of Pittsburgh. —9— NAVA News 33/3-4 SOME OBSERVATIONS IN IROQUOIA by Dave Martucci I have always been fond of travel- ling by automobile ever since I was little and my family made trips to Florida and other places. One of the advantages of that mode of travel is that you can detour into places you never otherwise think of visiting. On the way to and from Lansing, Michi- gan this past October, I stopped in two Mohawk Territories, one in New York State and one in Ontario (In- dian gas is much cheaper!) In both communities, Akwasasne in New York and Tyendinaga in Ontario, I found both the Iroquois and the Mohawk flags flying proudly. However, there were some differ- ences. First, the Mohawk flag is a bit different than the design shown in most sources. In both territories, Blue Iroquois flag flying in Akwasasne, Mohawk Territory in upper New York State. the figure in the center of the yellow Note the emblem goes right to the edge of the flag. Compare this with the Canadian sunburst on the red flag has his hair version on the next page. Note the edges of the emblem in the center are “serated” arranged in true Mohawk style (see giving the appearance more of a tree than a heart. See text. photo). The Iroquois flag had even more differences. In New York the field was I saw the emblem embroidered onto blue, as shown in most sources. In jackets, shirts and caps, all in white Canada, however, it was purple. In on a purple background. Indeed, in addition, there was a slight variation New York on the return trip, when I in the emblem which went right to inquired about the differences in the the edge on the NY flag but didn’t flag’s color, I was shown a place not quite touch the edge on the Cana- far from the service station where dian version. Canadian and American Mohawks I asked in both places about this were meeting to discuss their com- and was told the same thing in each mon agenda, and both versions of territory. The US Mohawks like the the flag were flying there. I pur- blue and the Canadian Mohawks chased a purple Iroquois flag in like the purple. Apparently it doesn’t Tyendinaga. matter much what shade the field is To complicate matters, the mast- so long as the emblem is an head of the local paper in umblemished white. In Ontario also Continued on page 11
Right, drawing of the Tree of the Great Peace. Flag Bulletin, XVI:4, July-August 1977. This design is the central figure on the Seal of the Drawing of the traditional wampum belt of the Iroquois. Flag Bulletin, XVI:4, Iroquois Nation. July-August 1977. —10— July — December 2000 Tyendinaga shows the emblem in charity, and equity surrounds and Royal Blue, at least in the October guards the Five Nations.” 2000 issue. The Mohawk flag is a variant of the The emblem on the Iroquois flag flag designed in December 1974 by is a pattern taken from the wampum Emblem from the masthead of the October Karoniaktajeh (Louis Hall) and origi- belt of the Nation described in the 2000 issue of “Mohawk Nation Drummer” nally intended to be a flag for all Law of the Great Peace, Article 60, which is a newspaper published in the Native Americans. The head has which describes the symbolism as a Tyendinaga Territory. This emblem was been changed somewhat in these white heart in the center surrounded printed in Royal Blue. examples in that he now sports the by two squares on either hair style that proclaims him side representing the a Mohawk. Onondaga, in the center, Other symbols were also and the other four original seen. In Akwasasne I saw a members of the league, the sign at the service station I Oneida, Cayuga, Seneca stopped at that showed the and Mohawk. Later the Iroquois symbol, a bit stylized, Tuscarora joined the league. in blue and white flanked by Invariably, however, the two paintings of the Tree of the Mohawks I spoke with de- Great Peace (complete with scribed the center emblem the eagle on top) growing on as a Pine Tree, recalling the the back of the Turtle, sym- white pine Tsionerap- bol of the world. asekowa, the Tree of the In Tyendinaga, I saw two Great Peace (see drawing), examples of what I suppose is principal symbol of the The purple Iroquois flag, Canadian and Mohawk flags in the local symbol, a red sun League and the central em- Tyendinaga Territory, Mohawk Nation, in Ontario. Note the that had a feather placed over blem on their seal. When I emblem on the Iroquois flag does not touch the edges of the it. In one example, at the described the heart symbol- flag as the New York example does. Mohawk Plaza, it was sur- ism, the members of the rounded by a stylized eagle. tribe understood it to mean On the sign at the border, the the Onondaga are the heart sun had rays and there was of the League and that is no eagle. where the tree was planted All in all, it was an interest- by Dekanawida. See the full ing and enlightening trip! I am discussion of these symbols so very much pleased to have in The Flag Bulletin, Volume been able to purchase a XVI, No. 4, July-August Mohawk and an Iroquois flag 1977. in Tyendinaga. Remember, The white color of the em- when you are travelling, look blem symbolized that “no about and see if there may be evil or jealous thought shall some interesting vexillology! creep into the minds of the And then write it up for NAVA chiefs while in Council un- News! der the Great Peace. White, the emblem of peace, love, Mohawk flag in Tyendinaga. Note the figure sports a “Mohawk” hairstyle. I purchased a copy of this flag for CA$7.00!
Service Station sign in Akwasasne, Mohawk Mohawk Territory sign in Tyendinaga, Territory in New York State. Note the two Ontario. The emblem appears to be a red depictions of the Tree of the Great Peace sun and a feather. Right, another version in growing on the back of the Turtle. the same territory, with an eagle added. —11— NAVA News 33/3-4 NATIVE SYMBOLS IN EASTERN CANADA by Luc V. Baronian In recent years, I have been re- tion had a symbol: the Onnontagués same motifs and the Waban-Aki coun- searching symbols used by the first and Tsonnontouans had a spider, the cil uses them on its symbol, so it prob- nations of Québec, browsing the web, Goyogouins had a calumet, the ably stands for the nation as a whole. visiting communities and sending let- Onneyouts had a pitchfork with a My young guide in the Odanak Native ters to councils. Since I now live in the stone in the middle, the Agniers had a museum, who had (probably mistak- opposite corner of North America, bear, the Hurons had a beaver, the enly) told me that it was the flag of fieldwork has become an impossibil- Abénakis had a deer and the Odanak also informed me that on the 1 ity. This is why I thought that an ac- Outaouais had a rabbit. flag, the turtle represents wisdom and count of the information I have gath- Today there are eleven native na- the calendar (the divisions on the ered so far, if not as informative as a animal’s shell are seen as represent- true dedicated research could have ing the months), the bear represents produced, might at least be a good force and courage, the maple leaves starting point for another who is represent Canada and he couldn’t more in a position to pursue the remember what the eagle stood for work. Note that illustrations, found (nor did any of the two councils an- in colour in the centerfold of this is- swer my letters). It is worth noting sue of NAVA News, are linked to the that the maple leaves, green as they peoples and places given in bold face usually are in Québec heraldry and type. vexillology, might have a connection Since there are no recognized na- with the popular belief that it was tions in the provinces east of Québec the Abénakis, one of the main and Abénakis Police Emblem. that are not also present in the lat- first allies of the French, who taught ter; since there is an Assembly of the tions in Québec, New Brunswick, French-Canadians the art of making First Nations of Québec and Labrador; Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and maple syrup from the sugar maple. and since I had found some informa- Newfoundland & Labrador. Apart from The nine Algonquin communities are tion on the Labrador Métis and the Inuit communities of Québec and located in the northwest forests of the Acadian Métis, it seemed like a good Labrador, there are two Iroquoian na- Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Outaouais idea to expand the scope to include tions (Mohawk and Huron-Wendat) regions. The Secétariat des the four provinces of Atlantic Canada. and eight Algonkian nations. In the programmes et services de la nation In this paper, I will always use the Atlantic provinces, only two Algonk- algonquine includes the communities names of the nations in the singular ian nations are represented: the of Barrière Lake, Timiskaming and form, to avoid confusion with those Micmac and Maliseet. The nations are Wolf Lake, while Abitibiwinni- names ending in “s” (note however that spread among over fifty communities Pikogan, Eagle Village (Kipawa), “Inuit” is the plural of “Inuk” and is in Québec, fifteen in New Brunswick, Kitigan Zibi, Lac-Simon, and Long not to be confused with the Innu na- thirteen in Nova Scotia, four in Prince Point founded the Conseil tribal de tion). Unless my sources are specific, Edward Island and seven in Labrador. la nation algonquine Anishinabeg, I prefer to use the word “symbol,” We have to add to these the Métis which the community of Kitcisakik rather than “logo” or “coat of arms” in (people of mixed European and native joined later. These latter communities cases of non-flags, because I do not ancestry) and other natives not affili- have individual symbols and a com- want to impose Euro-American clas- ated to a band. mon symbol (variants of Abitibiwinni sification on Amerindian or Inuit sym- The two Abénakis communities of can be seen as mirror images). bolism. Odanak and Wôlinak are situated near The Atikamek have three communi- Many nations have lived on the ter- Trois-Rivières in the Centre-du- ties in the northern woods of the ritory covered by this paper; some have Québec region. I have not observed the Mauricie region of Québec, grouped been massacred, some have moved or Abénakis flag reported by Don Healy2 under Atikamekw Sipi, their united have been moved, some have changed for the Vermont band, however, that council. There is a symbol used for the names, etc. The only information I flag’s motif can be observed on the lo- Atikamekw Sipi and one for each of have found on past symbols is a peace cal aboriginal police cars (see photo).3 the three communities, Manawan, treaty signed in 1701 in Montréal be- I have observed another flag in Odanak Opitciwan and Wemotac. The tween representatives of the Iroquois and in the 1999 issue of Rencontre Atikamek name their traditional land and the French troops’ commander, (21:2, p. 4), behind a leader of the Nitaskinan. Sieur Louis-Hector de Callières, gov- Grand Conseil de la Nation Waban- The Cree live in nine communities ernor general of the then French Aki, the council representing both (Chisasibi, Eastmain, Mistissini, colony of Canada. Thirty-eight native communities. I have also seen a pic- Nemaska, Oujé-Bougoumou, chiefs signed this treaty in the name ture of a statue in Wôlinak with the Waskaganish, Waswanipi, Wemindji of all allied native nations. Each na- and Whapmagoostui) just below the —12— July — December 2000 tree line, in the Nord-du-Québec re- Oujé-Bougoumou. Finally, the sun in tion and to protect the people. A crown gion. Like the Atikamek, the nation the background expresses the hope for of sage decorated with the head-dress and each community has a symbol. a better life for the Cree of today and of the Traditional Wendat Chief en- At least some of these symbols are tomorrow.” The syllabic script bellow circles the proud bird. The four colours used on flags; I have observed one of spells out the name of the community, of the inner circles represent the four them on a flag with a blue background which, like its cognate Chibougamau cardinal points; they are in line with and Don Healy has graciously for- (the adjacent allochthonous4 commu- the angle of the illustration of the falls. warded to me an email response he nity) means “Where the people gather.” The interiors of the circles represent got from Oujé-Bougoumou, confirm- There are also symbols used by the the four Wendat clans: Bear, Deer, ing they use their “logo” on a “white or Grand Council of the Crees and the Wolf, and Turtle. off-white” background. I have found Cree-Naskapi Commission. The touristic Huron Village, uses a an explanation of this symbol in the The Huron-Wendat’s single commu- symbol that, as far as I understand, July-August 1998 issue of nity, Wendake, is located near Québec does not represent the nation or the Géographica (p. 10), where it is de- City, and was granted arms by the Ca- community (although there is such a scribed as a coat of arms (my transla- nadian Heraldic Authority on July 31, flag, I believe5). Règent Garioua-Sioui, tion): “The arms of Oujé-Bougoumou 1992. The shield is circular, like that informed me by a letter (5 March 1998) sum up the history and struggle of the of other arms granted to native com- that he conceived a flag at the request Cree of Chibougamau to rediscover munities, and includes a beaver, per- of a circle of elders, according to their their identity. On a beaver skin back- haps referring to the 1701 treaty. In instructions and his research. The flag ground, symbol of the Cree nation, a 1997, the Huron-Wendat people cel- is used by the North American Indian woman and her child recall the gen- ebrated the 300th anniversary of Nation Government (which also uses erations in evolution and the birth of Wendake. The emblem of Wendake’s a logo) and on Mr. Sioui’s American a new community. A canoe represents tri-centennial celebrations is the proud Indian Cultural Site’s web page. The the traditional values, and its reflec- and powerful eagle, the spiritual link colours are black or dark on a pale tion the Cree bands: there are eight of between human beings and the Cre- reddish (in French, “ocre”) back- them on one side and nine on the ator. The eagle is flying over the Kabir ground, two purple stripes on the up- other, the ninth corresponding to Kouba Falls to announce the celebra- Continued on page 16
The emblem of Mamuitun showing the symbols of its five communities. —13— Native Symbols in Eastern Canada Abénakis Abénakis Abénakis Algonquin Algonquin Algonquin Algonquin research provided by Luc Baronian Images from various web sites, including Don Healy’s, Luc Baronian’s and the respective native entities’, Dr. Andersen’ s “Proud Flags of Canadian Natives” chart and original art by Dave Martucci and Luc Baronian. Waban-Aki Council Grand Conseil de la Nation Abénakis Conseil tribal de la nation Abitibiwinni-Pikogan Eagle Village (Kipawa) Kitcisakik Waban-Aki algonquine Anishinabeg
Algonquin Algonquin Algonquin Atikamek Atikamek Atikamek Atikamek Cree Cree
Kitigan Zibi Lac-Simon Long Point Winneway Nitaskinan (Atikamekw Sipi) Manawan Opitciwan Wemotaci Grand Council of the Crees Grand Council of the Crees
Cree Cree Cree Cree Cree Cree Cree Cree Cree
Chisasibi Eastmain Eastmain Mistissini Nemaska Oujé-Bougoumou Waskaganish Waswanipi Wemindji
Cree Cree-Inuit Cree-Naskapi Huron-Wendat Huron-Wendat Huron-Wendat Huron-Wendat Innu-Naskapi Innu-Montagnais
Whapmagoostui Kuujjuaraapik Whapmagoostui Cree-Naskapi Commission Wendake Wendake 300th Anniversary North American Indian Nation Huron Village Innu Nation (Labrador) Mamuitun Government - Cultural Site
Innu-Montagnais Innu-Montagnais Innu-Montagnais Innu-Montagnais Innu-Montagnais Inuit Iroquois Iroquois Iroquois
Essipit (Mamuitun) Matimekush Lac John (Mamuitun) Mammit Innuat Ekuanitshit-Mingan Natashquan Inuit Tapirisat of Canada Iroquois Confederacy Mohawk Mohawk (true)
Métis Métis Métis Métis Métis Métis Métis Métis Métis
Nation of Acadian Métis Nation of Acadian Métis Nation of Acadian Métis Nation of Acadian Métis Nation of Acadian Métis Nation of Acadian Métis Métis Nation of Québec Inc. Canadian Métis Coalition 1999 Canadian Métis Coalition 2000 Warrior Society New Brunswick Newfoundland Nova Scotia Prince Edward Island
Métis Micmac Micmac Micmac Micmac Micmac Micmac
Labrador Métis Micmac Nation (New Brunswick) Micmac Nation (Nova Scotia) Gaspeg (Québec) Listiguj (Restigouche), Québec Redbank, New Brunswick Redbank, New Brunswick Assembly of the First Nations of Québec Native Women Inc. and maybe others. Québec and Labrador
NORTH AMERICAN VEXILLOLOGICAL ASSN. PMB 225, 1977 N Olden Ave Ext, Trenton NJ 08618-2193 - http://www.nava.org/ © 2000 NAVA - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED For an unfolded, larger size copy of this chart, contact [email protected] NAVA News 33/3-4 Continued from page 13 along with another unidentified flag with black lettering above and below per and lower edges, the four corners that had some green on it and that I it in a semi-circle. The fifteenth Québec having blue, red, yellow and white tri- assumed was that of Mamuitun. As Inuit community is within the Cree angles. It symbolizes Native ceremo- for the communities, those of community of Chisasibi. Another Cree- nies (purification lodge), the earth, the Mamuitun each have a symbol, except Inuit community, Kuujjuaraapik four directions, the sacred circle of life Essipit for which I have found two Whapmagoostui, located in Kativik, on the back of the turtle, Native in- symbols. That of Uashuat Mak Mani- has a flag consisting of an igloo left of habitations, spiritual protection (the Utenam seems to be used on a flag a tipi above the names of the commu- eagle feather) and the great law of the with the name of the community be- nity (I thank Jim Croft for the infor- three cord Wampum (man, woman and low in black lettering, some unidenti- mation). There are five other Inuit com- child). This nation originally lived near fied words above and green and/or red munities in Labrador. Inuit Tapirisat Lake Ontario, where they were victim triangular motifs on the sides. The of Canada is the organism that led to of massacres by the Iroquois who symbol of Matimekush Lac John is the creation of Nunavut and repre- wanted control over their lucrative used on a yellow-white-dark green sents all Inuit of Canada (Nunavut, commerce and opposed the Huron’s Canadian pale (the logo includes the Nunavik, Labrador and Inuvialuit). strong alliance with the French. The green, but not the black, lettering)7. The Maliseet nation owns some land community of Wendake is composed The Natashquan and Ekuanitshit- in the Bas-St-Laurent region, although of the descendants of those Huron Mingan communities of Mammit its members do not form a localized saved by the French. Other commu- Innuat also have symbols (the latter’s community in Québec, but are rather nities now live in the US.6 is also seen as a mirror image). spread among the non-natives. They The Innu, also known as The Inuit of Québec and Labrador do form six communities in New Montagnais, are spread from the call their traditional land Nunavik (not Brunswick. I have observed in a Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean region to the to be confused with the Canadian ter- Québec governmental publication8 a extreme eastern part of the Côte-Nord, ritory of Nunavut). Fourteen Québec flag incorporating a black bird on a red with also two communities in Labra- communities have the status of “vil- disk with a blue and white background dor, where the term Innu-Naskapi is lage nordique” and have control over consisting of small rectangles in diago- often used. They refer to their tradi- the large regional administration of nal lines, but my letters to the Conseil tional land in Québec and Labrador Kativik (politically the equivalent of the des Malécites de Viger have remained as Nitassinan, although in practice the southern counties, it runs the four- unanswered. communities are grouped in three or- teen local airports, is head of the Inuit There are three Micmac communi- ganizations. The two communities of police forces and is run by elected rep- ties in the Gaspésie region of Quebec Labrador, Sheshatshiu and and nine in New Utshimassit (Davis Inlet) Brunswick (I don’t know are grouped under the how many in other prov- Innu Nation, the eastern- inces). Two flags are most four Québec commu- known (used by the Nova nities under Mammit Scotia Micmacs and the Innuat and the New Brunswick westernmost five under Micmacs), both of which Mamuitun. Because of the I have seen in Québec name of the organization along with a third representing the Labrador Micmac symbol (used at Innu, their flag is wrongly least by the Gaspeg com- believed in the munity) consisting of two vexillological community to Micmac in a canoe with also represent the Québec the words “micmac” be- Innu-Montagnais. The low (I have seen this in Mammit Innuat symbol is color and in black outline Linda Jean Simon (center), chief of the Gaspeg Micmac in front of a used on a Canadian pale inside a black outlined white flag with a red and blue logo. of brown-white-brown, circle). Rob Raeside has with Innu motifs on the reported to the FOTW list side stripes. I observed this flag on TV resentatives of the fourteen village observing the white and red cross, during a demonstration held by mem- councils who meet in Kuujjak). I have crescent and star on license plates in bers of the three Innu groups in observed at least three flags on TV, but Nova Scotia. In the June 1999 issue Churchill Falls (Labrador) where the too briefly to be able to describe them. of Rencontre (21:1, p. 5), there is a premiers of Québec and Newfoundland There is one flag that I believe to be white flag with a red and blue logo were meeting to negotiate a hydro-elec- that of Kangiqsualujjuaq, one of the behind Linda Jean Simon, chief of the tric project without the consent of the fifteen Québec Inuit communities: it Gaspeg Micmac in Québec and the first inhabitants of Nitassinan. The is white with a caribou facing the hoist community of Listiguj (Restigouche), Innu Nation flag was also present, —16— again in Québec, uses a symbol of its July — December 2000 own. The community of Red Bank in bol consisting of a gray map of the stead of natives joining the French New Brunswick uses a trout symbol Québec-Labrador peninsula, over settlements, the French were defect- and an eagle symbol. which is placed a red disk outlined in ing to live with the natives, “from The Mohawk and Iroquois flags (the black, with a burning fire in the cen- whom they were now indistinguish- Mohawk being one of the six Iroquois ter and what appears to be ten phases able,” says Charlevoix, and even am- nations) are very well known and have of the moon around the fire. The ten nesty “was quite useless” to bring them been documented in Don Healy’s moons must represent the ten mem- back. I found the following informa- book9, since, besides the three bers of the Assembly (all nations, ex- tion on the Internet: Mohawk communities in the Montréal cept the Inuit). Like the Canadian West Métis, the area (and Eastern Ontario), there is a Québec Native Women Inc. has Acadian Métis use a flag with an in- Mohawk community in finity sign (horizontal eight) New York state. However, which has two meanings: a flag, which I have never the joining of two cultures, seen flying but has cir- and the existence of a culated on the Internet people forever. The color as “the true Mohawk dark blue (purple) is the flag,” has added a color of Royalty and the Mohawk woman’s profile Acadian Métis consider to the man’s. themselves to be of royal There is only one stature and status in the Naskapi community in scheme of the creation of northern Québec, Canada as we know it to- Kawawa-chikamach. (In day. The white background Labrador, the Naskapi do represents the ties to the not seem to be distin- first Micmac and Maliseet guished from the Innu). Natives who inter-married According to a letter I re- Possibly the flag of the Naskapi Band (left) and the symbol of Matimekush with the early French im- ceived from the band sec- (right). members in all nations except the Hu- migrants to produce the Métis—white retary, a flag was designed in school ron, Maliseet and Inuit nations. Its also signifies purity, the Natives being by the late Steven Mameanskum. It at- logo has the following symbolism: the considered here the only pure Ameri- tempted to provide the Naskapi Band moon is symbol of the grandmother; cans. (The Canadian West Métis use a with a unique flag that identified it as the earth: symbol of the mother; the white infinity symbol on a blue or red the last of the nomadic Indian groups sun: the male symbol; child’s face: background). in the Québec-Labrador peninsula. symbol of women bearing future gen- The logos with a path leading to a The flag per se has not been adopted erations; arms spread: symbol of gath- tree (one for each of the four Atlantic officially as the Naskapi Band flag. ering; half-veiled face: symbol of the provinces, New Brunswick Métis, This flag is used only inside the emerging native woman seeking to Newfoundland Métis, Nova Scotia Naskapi community, although some play an active role in society; flowers: Métis, and Prince Edward Island have been given to Canadian and symbolizing woman’s mastery of the Métis) represents the lifelong search Québec government representatives native arts. The drawing is by for their ancestry or roots to assume and other interest groups. An image Georgette Obomsawine, 1976. and understand their true identity as of the flag is available in the same gov- The Acadian Métis of the Atlantic Métis people. The flag for the Nation ernmental publication mentioned ear- provinces do not seem to form a rec- of Acadian Métis (I don’t know lier, where all we can tell is that it uses ognized group, although their scalps whether this refers to the eagle flag or some symbol on a white field. How- were rewarded by cash bounty prizes the blue infinity flag) represents the ever, in Rencontre 21:3, May 2000, pp. in Nova Scotia after the deportation of ongoing search for their Métis roots 8 and 10, a partial image of the flag (I the Acadians. In the early days of New going back to the very first Métis assume it is the same) is available. France, it is very well known that the peoples. It represents the fact that the The Labrador Métis are an unrec- lack of women in the colonies led many very first Métis peoples originated in ognized nation and have a symbol in- Acadian and (French-)Canadian set- the early 1600’s, in the Acadian re- corporating Labrador’s spruce twig tlers to marry native women. This was gions of the Eastern American conti- symbol. I do not know of any symbol officially encouraged by the French au- nent, and quickly spread like wildfires used by the officially-recognized Asso- thorities as a way of populating the to leave their unique mark all across ciation des Métis et Indiens hors country and Champlain is quoted North America. It reminds us that the réserve du Québec, but the unrecog- twice for having said: “Our young men Métis are a great Nation with great nized Métis Nation of Québec Inc. will marry your daughters, and we heroes and leaders that were respon- uses the white infinity symbol on a shall be one people.” Unfortunately for sible for the colonization of North blue field as a flag. the French authorities, the effect was America. The authors of the text also The Assembly of the First Nations the opposite of what was expected: in- claim “no other group of people had of Québec and Labrador has a sym- —17— Continued on page 18 NAVA News 33/3-4 From the Web Site of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Historian
Submitted by Dave McDevitt THE COAST GUARD ENSIGN The U. S. Coast Guard possesses torical detail, inasmuch as in its own flag, similar to those of the the canton of the flag, there are other services. But did you know 13 stars, 13 leaves to the olive that the Coast Guard also has it’s branch, 13 arrows and 13 bars own Ensign? The Coast Guard En- to the shield. All corresponded to the of the union, and over the center of sign is unique in that it was created number of states constituting the the seventh vertical red stripe from for the revenue cutter to fly in place union at the time the nation was the mast of said flag, the emblem to of the national flag while in Ameri- established. The 16 vertical stripes cover a horizontal space of three can waters. Nine years after the es- in the body are symbolic of the num- stripes. This change to be made as tablishment of the Revenue Cutter ber of States composing the Union soon as practicable.” Service, Congress, in the Act of when this ensign was officially When the service adopted the March 2, 1799 provided that cutters adopted. name Coast Guard, the Revenue and boats employed in the service President William Howard Taft, Cutter Service’s ensign became the of the revenue should be distin- however, issued an Executive Order distinctive flag on all Coast Guard guished from other vessels by a June 7, 1910, adding an emblem to cutters as it had been for the rev- unique ensign and pennant. the ensign flown by the Revenue enue cutters. On August 1, 1799, Secretary of cutters to distinguish it from the en- The colors used in the Coast Guard the Treasury, Oliver Wolcott, issued sign flown from the custom houses, ensign today, as in the Revenue an order announcing that in pursu- which read: “By virtue of the author- Cutter Service, are all symbolic. The ance of authority from the President, ity vested in me under the provisions color red stands for our youth and the distinguishing ensign and pen- of Sec. 2764 of the revised Statutes, sacrifice of blood for liberty’s sake. nant would consist of, “16 perpen- I hereby prescribe that the distin- The color blue not only stands for dicular stripes, alternate red and guishing flag now used by vessels of justice, but also for our covenant white, the union of the ensign to be the Revenue Cutter Service be against oppression. The white sym- the arms of the United States in a marked by the distinctive emblem of bolizes our desire for light and pu- dark blue on a white field.” that service, in blue and white, rity. The ensign was poignant with his- placed on a line with the lower edge
Continued from page 17 lish the information they hold on Na- field, originally introduced to us by the impact on the early exploration of tive symbols or at least help some Don Healy, to whom we are all greatly North America, than did the Métis, and vexillologists study this fascinating indebted. yet, they have been America’s forgot- ten people for hundreds of years”. FOOTNOTES There is also a symbol for the Nation 1 I have not translated the nations’ names from the French text in Luc- of Acadian Métis Warrior Society. André Biron’s Le drapeau canadien, Montréal: Les Éditions de l’Homme, The Canadian Métis Coalition, also 1964, p. 57. advertised by the Acadian Métis, is 2 Healy, Don. 1996-1997. Flags of the Native Peoples of the United States. claimed to be the union of Métis from Raven 3-4. It is shown on Dr. Andrew Andersen’s 1999 chart Proud Flags throughout North America who are in- of Canadian Natives. 3 Here I am confused, because it seems that the same symbol is also used on terested in the advancement of the cul- police cars of other nations. It is true that the Abénakis use to be associated ture, education and betterment of all with many other nations who collectively took the name Abénakis... Métis peoples. It is not only relegated 4 Politically correct word in Northern Québec for non natives (i.e. mostly white to Métis issues, but is also concerned French-Canadians). with the entire Aboriginal struggle for 5 Rencontre 21:3, May 2000, p. 5. self-government and treaty rights 6 See Don Healy’s monumental work for more information. since the Métis movement is actually 7 Rencontre 21:3, May 2000, pp. 8 and 10. 8 part of the overall Aboriginal move- Secrétariat aux affaires autochtones, Les Amérindiens et les Inuit du Québec d’aujourd’hui. Gouvernement du Québec, 1992. ment to self rule and inherited aborigi- 9 nal rights as a people. The Iroquois flag shown in colour in the centerfold was drawn by Dave Martucci based on first hand observations he made visiting the I hope that this article, although Tyendinaga Territory of the Mohawk Nation in Ontario. See his article descriptive and very incomplete, will about this event elsewhere in this issue. encourage other vexillologists to pub- —18— July — December 2000
—19— NAVA News 33/3-4 VEXILLIANAVEXILLIANA compiled by Kevin Harrington Civic Flags in the World’s Vexillological Journals Flag Data Bank, entirely in En- www.geocities.com/emblemes> and of the capital cities in some South- glish, devotes issues 11 and 12/ a list of civic flags covered in 1999 west and Midwest States (Carson 2000 to municipal vexillology. Its by the world’s flag journals. In the editors are Gunnar Staack and Di- book reviews it also points out ref- eter Linder and contributors from erences to civic flags. Cost of sub- across Europe include A. Grechylo scription is DM35 (German marks) (Ukraine), Michel Lupant (Belgium), for overseas; contact the editor at Ales Brozek (Czech R.) The approach
All photos on this Below: State Capitol tour. Left, Governor’s Above: Thanks page by flag; right, looking up and down in the to Bob Kidd Dave or dome. from the State. Janet Right: Martucci Webmaster Dick Gideon.
Left: Whitney Smith makes Right: a point during Whitney the RAVEN Smith debate. explains the Honduras Ensign.
Above: Rich Kenny and his Michigan Civic flags exhibit. Above, L to R: Chris Above: Senate Proclamation. and Bob Kidd, L to R, Peter Kindermann, Martucci, Dave Carita Culmer, David Assistant Sec. of Breitenbach and the Pres. State.
Above: Tour of the Above: Michigan Civil War Andy Biles flags vault. From L to and a R, Tom Gregg, Korean Martin Francis, John War relic. Schmale, Mark Left: Dick Ritzenhein and our Gideon guide, Kerry Chart- joins the koff. Right: Peter group Edwards shows a photographer. Above: The Parade of Flags getting underway. burgee. Visit NAVA’s Award-winning Web Site http://www.nava.org —28—