The Labrador Flag – a symbol of the history, heritage and identity of the Big Land – is celebrating its 50th anniversary this Sunday, March 31, 2024.
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Labrador Flag, Confederation Building will be illuminated in the colours of the flag from Friday to Sunday. The Labrador flag will also be flown at Confederation Building this weekend.
The idea for a Labrador flag was conceived in 1973 when the Provincial Government asked citizens to adopt special projects to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the province’s Confederation with Canada in 1949. Michael S. Martin of Cartwright, who represented the district of Labrador South in the House of Assembly from 1972-75, saw an opportunity to create a representation of Labrador’s geography, diverse cultures, and its people.
Efforts focused on designing a flag to celebrate the significance of Labrador’s heritage, which resulted in the creation of a design for a flag. In early 1974, 64 flags were produced – one for each of the 59 towns and villages in Labrador, one for each of the three Members of the House of Assembly, and two for the Martin family.
The flags were sent to communities with a request to fly or display the flag on March 31, 1974. Shortly thereafter, at Mr. Martin’s request, the Labrador Heritage Society secured ownership and copyright of the design.
In 2015, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador adopted a policy concerning the Labrador flag. The policy provided direction for the flag to be flown at the Labrador/Quebec border crossings near L’Anse au Clair and Labrador City, at Provincial-Government-owned and leased buildings, and for display purposes during Provincial Government events in Labrador.
In 2016, elected officials and area residents participated in ceremonies at Labrador West and Southern Labrador to celebrate and raise the Labrador flag at the Quebec-Labrador borders.
The Provincial Government, in collaboration with community partners, is planning events in the coming months to mark the 50th anniversary of the Labrador flag.
Quotes
“The Labrador flag is an iconic symbol that celebrates the rich culture, traditions and spectacular landscape that makes Labrador so unique. We join in celebrating the special connection and passion that Labradorians have with a flag that has reached a significant milestone.”
Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey
Premier, Newfoundland and Labrador
“The Labrador flag is more than just a piece of cloth. It is a powerful embodiment of our Labrador history and our identity as a people. May it continue to inspire generations to come and serve as a powerful reminder of the unbreakable bond that ties us together as Labradorians.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister of Labrador Affairs
Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation
MHA for the District of Cartwright-L’Anse au Clair
“Labradorians have a strong attachment to their Labrador flag. There is no other image or symbol that unites areas and the people of Labrador like the Labrador flag. The flag has and will continue to be a source of great pride for everyone in the Big Land.”
Ernie McLean
President, Labrador Heritage Society
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The Labrador Flag
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BACKGROUNDER
Elements of the Labrador Flag
“The top white bar of the flag represents the snows, the one element which, more than any other, coloured our culture and dictated our lifestyle. The bottom blue bar represents the waters of our rivers, lakes and oceans. The waters, like the snows of winter, have been our highways and nurtured our fish and wildlife that was our sustenance and the basis of our economy. The centre green bar represents the land – the green and bountiful land, which is the connecting element that unites our three diverse cultures.
“The twig of the black spruce tree, in two year-growths, represents the past and the future. The shorter growth of the inner twigs represents the hard times of the past, while the longer outer twigs speak of our hopes for the future. The twig is typically in three branches and represents here the three original founding races of modern Labrador – the Innu, the Inuit and the white settler. The three branches emerging from a common stalk represents the commonality of all humankind regardless of race.”
Source: Michael S. Martin, 2002
Labrador Flag Connections
The flag of the Nunatsiavut Government was initially adopted in the early 1970s by the Labrador Inuit Association. It features a white, green and blue inukshuk reproduced in the colours of the Labrador flag.
The Franco-Newfoundlander flag, adopted in 1986, includes a spruce twig, which is featured on the Labrador flag.