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APTN Announces 2011 Flag Contest Winner
Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) is pleased to announce sixteen-year-old Taylor Vanasse is the winner of the fifth annual Aboriginal Day Live Flag Contest. Vanasse’s winning design was chosen from a total of 208 entries received from across Canada.
Vanasse, who resides in Plantagenet, Ontario, designed her flag to show the various Aboriginal cultures in Canada and some of their customs, beliefs and general ways of life. She wrote, “The inukshuk and dog sled represent Arctic tribes like the Inuit. The canoe, the water, the fish and the tipis represent hunting, transportation and shelter. The turtle depicts spirituality and also refers to the Iroquois creation story (Turtle Island – The Creation of North America). Finally, the eagle represents leadership and skill while the feathers are an ode to all Tribal Chiefs and Elders who provided wisdom and guidance to all who needed it. The earth is a symbol of togetherness.”
Her design will be officially unveiled during APTN’s Aboriginal Day Live show in celebration of National Aboriginal Day on Saturday, June 18, 2011. The show will be broadcast live across the nation from Winnipeg, Manitoba. As part of her prize, Vanasse will receive a trip to Winnipeg to be part of the Aboriginal Day Live celebrations and will also receive a cash prize of $500. Additionally, the Rockland District High School, where Vanasse attends, will receive $750 towards the purchase of learning materials.
The winning design will be made into a flag that will be flown above APTN headquarters in Winnipeg, replacing the one created by APTN Aboriginal Day Flag Contest 2010 winner, Dylan Willett. Mini versions of the flag will be distributed to the crowds attending APTN’s Aboriginal Day Live 2011 concert.
Entries from the 2011 contest can be seen on APTN’s Aboriginal Day Live Flag Contest web page or on display in the front window of APTN’s head office in Winnipeg.