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Flags raised in solidarity

These six flags were raised across several Queen’s buildings in response to a June 2020 hate crime in which flags at the university’s Four Directions Indigenous Student Centre were vandalized. Here in Goodes Hall, the flags are a reminder of the school’s commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and Indigenization. Each has its own story and meaning.
Issue: 
Spring 2021
The Metis flag is a white horizontal infinity symbol on a blue background.

Métis flag

The Métis flag, with its white infinity symbol, represents the joining of two cultures: First Nations and European, from which a new Indigenous people emerged—the Métis—with their own unique culture, traditions, language (Michif), way of life, collective consciousness and nationhood.


The Ashinabek flag is a white thunderbird in the center of a white circle on a dark red background.

Anishinabek Nation

The Anishinabek Nation flag features an Animikii (thunderbird) at the centre. According to traditional teachings, this powerful, spiritual animal is said to create the sound of thunder just by the flapping of its wings. The bird is also a protector with the ability to bring rain that nurtures and cleanses the earth.

The six nation flag is a white tree with two white squares on either side on a deep purple background.

Six Nations Confederacy

This flag symbolizes the Hiawatha wampum belt—the emblem of unity that brought peace among the Five Nations—Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, and Mohawk—with the sixth nation, the Tuscarora, added later. Collectively, the confederation’s people are known as the Haudenosaunee.

Two row wampum flag is three horizontal white stripes, and two deep purple stripes.

Two Row Wampum

In 1613, the Haudenosaunee and Dutch formed an everlasting relationship built on friendship and peace. A belt, made of purple and white wampum shells, symbolized this new venture. The purple rows represent the two different cultures and traditions as they travel side-by-side on the river of life. The white rows represent peace, friendship and respect.

A center horizontal white stripe. Above and below the white stripe is a pale pink stripe, and following that a pale blue stripe.

Transgender Pride

Stripes at the top and bottom of the flag are light blue, the traditional colour for baby boys. The stripes next to them are pink, the traditional colour for baby girls. The white centre stripe is for those who are transitioning, intersex or non-binary.

A rainbow flag.

LGBTQ2S Pride

This flag represents the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and two-spirit (LGBTQ2S) social movements. The colours symbolize the community’s immense diversity: red for life; orange, healing; yellow, vitality/ sunlight; green, serenity/nature; blue, harmony; and violet, spirit.

In this issue
Inside Smith Feature Dean's Message Profile First Person