Building bridges between all communities
Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/338810
PAGE 6 • JULY 2014 AtFCC,we'vebuiltaculturewhereyoucanbeyourself. You'reanindividualandittakesstrongindividualstomake astrongteam.So,bewhoyouareandfeelathomewhen youcometowork. fcc.ca/diversity Becomfortablewithdiversity Feelslikeafit Youth across the nation rattled crayon boxes, fanned out paint brushes and sharpened pencil crayons to design and draw a flag that symbolized and expressed their pride of Aboriginal culture. The annual national Aboriginal Day Live & Celebration Flag Contest is part of APTN's Aboriginal Day Live & Celebration in Winnipeg. The regional contest also returned for a second year to match the twin stage location in Halifax, thanks to a new creative partnership that formed the Regional Aboriginal Day Live & Celebration Flag Contest brought to you by RBC Foundation. The two most head turning illustrations were given thumbs-up and the winners won big! National winner Rushawna Keeper and regional winner Shania Pierrard were featured on APTN, invited to take part in Aboriginal Day Live & Celebration and $500 cash landed in their pockets to top it all off. Sixteen-year-old Rushawna's design was selected from an assortment of 109 national entries. Her illustration of traditional Aboriginal imagery included a sun, turtle, bearpaw, the Northern Lights and three tipis. Rushawna's explanation of her entry revealed how each iconic image related to her life experience. Her winning design inspired a visually striking and bold national version of the Aboriginal Day Live & Celebration Flag. Rushawa's flag was officially revealed during the LIVE broadcast of the Aboriginal Day Live concert from The Forks in Winnipeg. Go Rushawna! Her flag is also raised above APTN's headquarters in downtown Winnipeg and will stay there for one year! Next is sixteen-year-old Shania's design that was selected among entries from across Nova Scotia. The Mi'kmaq star is the focus featuring the colours - red, black, yellow and white. This also represents the districts of the Mi'kmaq nations, the four races inhabiting earth and the four directions. The power and strength of the Mi'kmaq is symbolized by an eagle, and a man represents the Aboriginal Peoples of Canada. The focal point of her design, a beautiful dream catcher set in the forefront of the iconic eagle and man. Shania's flag was officially revealed to the audience at the Aboriginal Day Live concert in Halifax, and she was joined onstage by a representative from RBC Foundation. Kudos to Shania! You can see Rushawna's and Shania's winning designs, and all designs entered in the contest at adlflagcontest.com. Sheldon McRae Communications Coordinator THEY HAVE TALENT AND VISION APTN's Aboriginal Day Live & Celebration Flag Contest Nova Scotia for Shania Pierrard's design National Winner for Rushawna Keeper's design