Survivors' Flag Raising on Parliament Hill

The Survivors' Flag.

Each element depicted on the Survivors’ Flag was carefully selected by Survivors from across Canada, who were consulted in the flag’s creation.

The Survivors' Flag was created by the National Centre of Truth and Reconciliation in partnership with Survivors and National Indigenous Organizations to honour the hundreds of children who never returned home from residential schools.

On August 29th, 2022, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Stephanie Scott, Executive Director of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation joined Survivors and other invited guests on Parliament Hill for the raising of the Survivors' Flag.

The flag sends a powerful message to all Canadians. It is a call to remember and a call to action.

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau joins Stephanie Scott, Executive Director of the National Centre of Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR), Survivors, and other special guests to mark the official raising of the Survivors' Flag.
Drummers play in front of the Parliament buildings before the ceremony.
Mi’kmaq drumming group the Sacred Wolf Singers perform the 'Honour Song'
Elder Claudette Commanda was the master of ceremonies for the event.
Chief Dylan Whiteduck for Kitigan Zibi welcomes guests to the traditional territory of the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation
NCTR Executive Director Stephanie Scott outlines the significance of the flag and the importance of the day.
First Nation Survivor Eugene Arcand at the podium.
Inuk Survivor Dr. Brown shakes hands with Prime Minister Trudeau following her speech.
Métis Survivor Jimmy Durocher at the podium.
Prime Minister Trudeau says the flag raising represents Canada's continued commitment to reconciliation and to honouring the lives lost and the Survivors impacted by the residential school system.
Daniel Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs and Marc Miller, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations join the Prime Minister in exchanging the flags.
Prime Minister Trudeau joins in the official raising of the Survivors' flag with Residential School survivor and Kitigan Zibi Elder Florence Cote.
The Survivors' Flag is a powerful message for all Canadians to visit Parliament Hill and reflect on the meaning behind the flag.

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