The Flag Shop Blog

FREE Helicopter Flights for Girls and Women Coming to Abbotsford October 5th & 6th

If you’re a girl or a woman who has never taken a flight on a helicopter, your chance is just around the corner. Don’t miss The Sky’s No Limit – Girls Fly Too! (GF2) event on October 5^th & 6^th, 2019 in Abbotsford, BC!       

GF2 is a high-profile international event which involves participation by numerous agencies and groups, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Canadian Coast Guard, local and international search and rescue organizations, first responders, as well as the Canadian and US Armed Forces. The purpose of the event, which is open to everyone, is to advance gender and cultural diversity in the high-tech STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields of Aviation, Aerospace, Marine, and Defence.

Heritage of Leadership by Women 

At The Flag Shop, we take pride in our heritage of strong leadership by women beginning in 1975. Doreen Braverman founded the company, starting the first full-service flag store in the world. Then, in 2010, Susan Braverman bought the company and became its President. For nearly 45 years, The Flag Shop has given countless opportunities to women to grow and thrive.

The Achieve Anything Foundation is the driving force behind GF2, and its mission is to “inspire female future leaders in STEM, from the shop floor to the top floor.” We recently learned they were in urgent need of an 800 square foot Canada flag. For Susan, donating the flag was an easy decision, and the right thing to do. She said, “When I heard about the GF2 event, I knew right away that I wanted to help! The work of the foundation in advancing opportunities for girls and women is incredible and it will have lasting impacts on gender diversity for future generations.” She added, “I was raised in a household of powerful women and I was taught by example that there are no limits to what can be achieved by any child. Dreaming big dreams is where it all starts and every child, regardless of gender, deserves the same opportunities to realize their dreams.”

Flying and the Canadian Flag

The giant, made-in-Vancouver flag will be part of a spectacular flag drop, presented by the Wings of Blue, during the opening ceremony. Representing the US Air Force, Wings of Blue are national and world skydiving champions who perform precision parachuting demonstrations. Every year, they conduct an astonishing 19,000 training jumps, and they award 700 jump wings to students of the United States Air Force Academy.

Kirsten Brazier is the Founder and President of GF2, which began in 2012. More than 67,000 people have attended GF2 over the years, with nearly 9,200 girls and women experiencing their first-ever helicopter flight. As a professional pilot for the last 25 years, licensed to fly throughout North America, Kirsten is among the 6% of women pilots in the male-dominated profession. According to Kirsten, this statistic has not changed since she first became a pilot. She has been a tireless advocate for advancing gender diversity in high-tech STEM fields in hopes to make lasting changes to the tech landscape. Kirsten said, “We are grateful beyond words for the generous donation by The Flag Shop, which allows us to proudly express our national pride on the world stage!” She added, “The flag drop will be attended by Canadian and US dignitaries, along with thousands of proud Canadian and American citizens. And, there is no more meaningful way to appropriately express our national pride than to display our flag, in all its glory, alongside the US flag.”                

Power in Experience 

The power and far-reaching effects of this event are in the hands-on experiences that are available to those who attend. From helicopter flights, to exploring the inside of a warship or plane, there will be something for everyone. As if that were not enough, this year’s event honours the United Nations International Day of the Girl, which since 2012, has been observed every year on October 11^th. For more information about GF2, or to attend, please visit the GF2 official website at: https://www.girlsfly2.ca/. No registration is required, and event admission and parking are free of charge.  

Unique volunteer opportunities can also be found at: https://www.girlsfly2.ca/volunteer.html, and will include meeting NASA Astronaut, Heide Stefanyshyn-Piper, as well as a complimentary meal to thank volunteers for their (fun) hard work!    

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Tour de Coast Turns 20 Years Old in 2019!

The Cops for Cancer Tour de Coast marks its 20th year this year and the tour is coming up September 18th – 26th, 2019. The trek involves an 800 km cycling tour through the Sea to Sky corridor, the Sunshine Coast, the North Shore and cities of Greater Vancouver, from Maple Ridge to Richmond. The Flag Shop has supported this important cause in the past, last year donating 10 full-sized custom flags and 24 car flags to help shine a spotlight on the fight against childhood cancer. We hope to see them out this year!

The inspiration behind Cops for Cancer came from Sergeant Gary Goulet of the Edmonton Police Service. In 1994, he met a boy named Lyle, a 5-year old who was fighting cancer. Lyle was losing his hair as a result of chemotherapy treatment, and was being teased and ridiculed at school. When Sergeant Goulet heard about this, he rallied fellow officers, who shaved their heads in support of Lyle. He approached the Canadian Cancer Society to hold a “bald is cool” head shaving event, to raise funds and awareness for childhood cancer. The idea spread to police services across the country, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Today, Cops for Cancer supports Jail and Bail events, head shaving fundraisers, cycling tours, and other initiatives, such as Camp Goodtimes. About the Tour de Coast, Sergeant Goulet said, “The mandate of the police service has always been to give back to the community and police do so much which is often behind the scenes.” He added, “At the same time, police officers understand that because of our public profile, we have unique opportunities to draw positive attention to important causes like this, and to make a real difference.” Since 1997, Cops for Cancer has raised over $42 million for cancer research, and support services for children struck by cancer, and their families. ^[1]

Truths About Childhood Cancer
A cancer diagnosis can be devastating to children, and their families and loved ones. Here are some tough truths, which drive home the importance and impact of efforts like the Tour de Coast:

The most common forms of childhood cancer are leukemia, lymphoma, and tumors of the brain and spinal cord. ^[2]

Cancer is the leading cause of disease-related death among Canadian children under 15 years of age. ^[3]

Nearly 950 children in Canada are diagnosed with cancer every year. ^[4]

Custom car flags and custom flags made for Cops for Cancer

Giving Back to the Community
For more than 40 years, The Flag Shop has been proudly supporting not-for-profit cancer awareness, research, and prevention organizations, including the Canadian Cancer Society, the BC Cancer Agency, the CURE Foundation and the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. It is our privilege to work with these clients, sharing a long and rewarding history. Over the years, our list of projects just keeps growing, and we’ve supplied many products, such as custom flags, custom street banners, and over the street banners.

Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation Street Banners

Thank you to Cops for Cancer, and all of our clients, for their tireless work in advancing research, and bringing hope to Canadians living with cancer.

For information about all Cops for Cancer Tour de Coast, and to find our how you can get involved, please visit: the Tour de Coast official website.

Don’t Miss a Thing!
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Sources:
[1] [2] [3] [4]
https://secure2.convio.net/cco/site/SPageNavigator/BCY/Cops_BC_MediaCentre.html;jsessionid=00000000.app248b?NONCE_TOKEN=08A247E0108BF47CA459E6CC34D2EE15

My Memories of “Matilda the Musical” at the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage

By Susan Braverman

Earlier this summer, I had the chance to see Matilda the Musical at the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage in Vancouver. And what a memorable show it was! Being at the Stanley for such an amazing performance brought me back to the beauty and wonder of the theatre – something I knew I had to share with others. This musical touched my soul, leaving me with an undeniable desire to experience more. I bought three tickets for my VP of Communications & Community Relations so that she and her family could experience the magic! In the spirit of “go big or go home”, I just couldn’t stop there, so I bought season tickets for the 2019/2020 line-up, which includes: A Thousand Splendid Suns, The Sound of Music, Noises Off, Carried Away on the Crest of a Wave, and Kinky Boots. I cannot wait!

Thank You, Matilda (Children Are NOT Maggots)!
At 5 years old, Matilda is a bright girl (with clueless, mocking parents), who discovers her own “Girl Power” of telekinesis, then uses it for good. With the help of her friends, Matilda fights back against the evil school headmistress, Miss Trunchbull and saves her teacher, Miss Honey. Thank you, Matilda, for reminding us all that even small children have the power to achieve anything – up to and including defeating a monster like Trunchbull. Love prevails for Matilda as she finds genuine acceptance, appreciation and loyalty with Miss Honey, which goes far deeper than blood family ties.

The Arts Club: Three Stages and More Than a Quarter Million Hearts Moved ^[1]
The Arts Club Theatre Company was established in 1958, as the Arts Club of Vancouver, and was a private club serving the interests of actors, artists, and musicians. In 1964, the club opened its first stage at Seymour and Davie. During its 27 years on Seymour, the theatre, seating 250, helped to launch the careers of well-known Canadians like Janet Wright (Corner Gas) and Michael J. Fox. Today, Vancouverites are lucky enough to be a part of a rich and thriving theatre scene, presented in three venues: The Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage, the Granville Island Stage and the Goldcorp Stage at the BMO Theatre Centre.

Oh Stanley, You’ve Always Been My Favourite
The Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage first opening in 1931, and was originally a movie theatre and Vaudeville house. ^[2] The Stanley showed movies for more than 60 years and closed in 1991. Surviving threats of demolition over the following years, renovations began in 1997, ^[3] to transform the venue into the stage theatre. In 1999, the renovated structure was awarded the designation of a Heritage building by the City of Vancouver, and today, is the main stage of the Arts Club Theatre Company. The Stanley shares its name with Stanley Park and the Stanley Cup, all of which were named after the Governor General of Canada, Lord Stanley.

Feel the Theatre Joy
Theatre and the performing arts play an important role in our community, providing opportunities to gather together and explore the human condition. What better way to promote creativity, self- discovery and self-expression, while being drawn into another place and time? For more information about upcoming performances by the Arts Club Theatre Company, please visit: https://artsclub.com/

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See you at the theatre!

—

Sources:
[1] https://artsclub.com/about/our-story
[2] https://artsclub.com
[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley_Industrial_Alliance_Stage

Come Out for Celebrations of Individual Uniqueness and Fun!

The Flag Shop will be at Pride Fest, and we’re thrilled to say this is our 5th year joining the celebrations! Come out and #BeYouVancouver.  Find us under our Pride canopy – we’ll be easy to spot in the crowds, too! Just look for the colourful Pride flags waving in the breeze.

Memories of Pride Fest 2018 – What a blast! See you under The Flag Shop canopy at Pride Fest 2019!

Pride Celebrations Are in Your Immediate Future  
While there are just too many to name them all, here are some of the event highlights leading up to Sunday, to help get you connected with your favourite Pride parties in our community:

Pride at the Pier
Tuesday, July 30th, 5:00 p.m.
Ship Builder’s Square, Wallace Way, North Vancouver
Come out for food trucks, button making, flag making, giant Jenga and a catwalk competition!

Pride After Hours at the Vancouver Aquarium 
Thursday, August 1st, 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m
845 Avison Way, Vancouver
There will be DJs playing Pride hits, drag performances and presentations on otter love and shark positions.

Chicks Ahoy Pride Boat Cruise Party
Friday, August 2nd, 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
1601 Bayshore Drive, aboard the Magic Charm Yacht
Bring your flags and wear your best sailing outfits.

Terry Wallace Memorial Breakfast
Saturday, August 3rd, 8:00 a.m.
Jim Deva Plaza in Davie Village
Enjoy a buffet-style pancake breakfast, by donation, and in memory of Terry Wallace, a Vancouver Pride Society founder.

Pride Parade Viewing Brunch 
Sunday, August 4th, 10:30 a.m.
English Bay Boathouse Rooftop
If crowds are not your thing, watching the parade from the rooftop is a great way to watch from far above the hustle!

Sunset Beach Festival
Sunday, August 4th, 11:00 a.m.
Sunset Beach Park, 1201 Beach Avenue, Vancouver
It’s a fun and safe festival that’s all about expressing your Pride, both individually, and as part of a community. Join us, because we will be there, and we can’t wait to see you!

2019 Pride Parade
Sunday, August 4th, at noon – 3:00 p.m.
Vancouver West End
The 41st Annual Pride Parade starts on Robson to Denman, then onto Beach Ave, ending at Pacific.

For more information and a full calendar of official events and community celebrations, please visit the Vancouver Pride Society’s official website.

Inclusive Pride Flag – Designed by Daniel Quasar – Learn more about the flag at: www.inclusiveprideflag.ca. And, stop by our booth to get your hands on this beauty!

The Flag Shop has a long history of supporting Canada’s LGBTQ+ communities, to help end discrimination and violence, while promoting equality and dignity for all. We’ll set you up with everything you’ll need to make it the best Pride Fest yet!  For a closer look at our Pride products, go to: http://pride.flagshop.com/

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See you at Pride Fest!

Project Empty Bowl Makes HUGE Impact on Community Raising $130,000!

A Loving Spoonful, our neighbours on Powell Street in Vancouver, provides free meals to people living with HIV/AIDS. Its powerful and simple mission is: “To make sure that no one living with HIV/AIDS lives with hunger.”  This charitable organization pours love and support into the lives of people across BC, meeting the basic human need of nourishment, fulfilling its mission in its daily work.

A Loving Spoonful offices – The Flag Shop’s neighbours on Powell Street.

When A Loving Spoonful first contacted The Flag Shop President, Susan Braverman, last month, requesting a donation for their signature fundraising event, “Project Empty Bowl”, they couldn’t have known just how much personal meaning it would have for Susan. It was almost 20 years ago that she sang in the High Spirits Choir, and as it turns out, the choir’s first outreach performance was for none other than A Loving Spoonful! Remembering these moments fondly, Susan said, “It’s hard to believe it’s been that long since I first learned about A Loving Spoonful!” She added, “At the time, I realized this organization was among the first to step up to address the needs of those living with HIV/AIDS, caring for people, and giving them dignity and hope.” She added, “I still remember how it made me feel to hear the personal testimonials of hope that day.”

Custom painting by A Loving Spoonful supporter and celebrated Vancouver artist, John Ferrie, which commemorates the official name change from Vancouver Meals Society – displayed in the office lobby.

The team at A Loving Spoonful acknowledges and honours its invaluable team of caring and passionate volunteers, who are the heart and soul of the organization. It is through the joint efforts of its volunteers, donors, and supporters, together with the staff, that people in need find a sense of belonging – and become a part of a caring community. The organization provides meals, but it goes much deeper than that. It’s all about forging genuine and very personal connections with its clients. This helps them to provide the best possible service and support. While it’s important to be aware of critical details, such as dietary restrictions and allergies, over and above these things, the team is very intentional in creating a welcoming, happy, and respectful environment.

Elyse Freeborn and Claudia Healey of A Loving Spoonful going back to the office after selecting items to fill baskets with their favourite Pride products

Elyse Freeborn, Director of Development & Volunteer Services said, “That’s what we’re most proud of as an organization – every staff member, whether it be a program staff person, a dietician, our accountant, or our executive director, it doesn’t matter – we are all here to help our clients.“  She added, “If someone comes by for food, they are treated very respectfully, and if someone comes by just to chat, we stop what we’re doing and we chat with them. We know every single client we serve by name. I think these things are really important.”

Last month, A Loving Spoonful held its “Project Empty Bowl” gala, which has been taking place since 1997. When guests arrive at this event, each one is gifted a handcrafted bowl made by a BC artist. Every bowl is donated and unique. Guests are served their meal in the bowl they’ve been given, reflecting the idea that no bowl should ever be empty. The bowls serve as keepsakes of the evening, and reminders of the impact each guest makes by attending the gala. The event includes a silent auction, and a live auction, with a professional auctioneer.

Handcrafted bowls made by local artists and given as gifts at the Project Empty Bowl Gala.

The Flag Shop was thrilled for the opportunity to support this fundraiser by donating two Pride gift baskets for the silent auction. All basket items were hand-picked by A Loving Spoonful and included everything from Pride stick flags, to silicone bracelets, flags, lanyards, crests, and decals. Susan Braverman said, “I’m so grateful for the opportunity to support them, and to contribute to their success, because this team of caring people changes lives and brings light and hope to so many!”

Pride gift baskets donated by The Flag Shop for silent auction.

With a fundraising goal of $125,000, and a per-meal cost of $3.55, this adds up to plenty of full bowls! And, what a thrill it was when we learned that this year’s gala exceeded its fundraising target, coming in at a whopping $130,000! On average, A Loving Spoonful provides 100,000 meals every year to those in need in our community, and this signature event makes it all possible. About this, Elyse said, “Providing food to individuals and families not only meets a basic human need, it opens opportunities to connect and reduce stresses in the lives of others. When stress is lifted, barriers start to fall away.” She added, “When the worry over your next meal goes away, this helps to create a more hopeful and positive outlook. And, we wouldn’t be able to do any of this without our volunteers and donors! Making a positive impact on others, that’s where the reward is.”

Congratulations to A Loving Spoonful for pulling off an exceptional gala, which will help so many. We salute you for your caring commitment to the people of our community!

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Big Players in the Canadian Sports Scene, We Love Our Teams of the CFL!

By Susan Braverman

Like most Canadians, I’ve watched CFL football over the years and have cheered teams on to Grey Cup victory. But until recently, I’d only ever experienced football through the magic of television, reliving the plays, moment by moment, through instant replay.

As a life-long Vancouverite who had never been to a Lions game, or any live football game for that matter, my experience as a fan was changed when I recently attended a game at BC Place. The roar of the crowd, the sea of vibrant orange, the chanting, and the waving of team flags were all part of the live and up-close action from the 55-yard line, three rows up.

Left to right: Lilian, Susan, Terence, Wade and Photo Bomber

In their first game of the regular season, our own BC Lions hosted the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. It was an unusual circumstance for my VP of Communications & Community Relations, who came to Vancouver from Winnipeg 2 ½ years ago to join The Flag Shop team. Lilian and her husband, Terence enthusiastically cheered on BOTH teams throughout the entire game! And, for the record, my husband Wade and I cheered only for the Leos.

The Fans Make the Game
There’s no denying that without the players, coaches, and managers, there would be no CFL, nor any Canadian pro football games to attend. But being at the stadium for my first live game, I realized that it’s the cheering and loyal fans who make the game what it is. The fan base ran the gamut, from kids doing the Sprinkler and the Floss dance moves, to seniors clapping and cheering, to diehard Lions fans over-indulging in the name of team spirit. Lions fans ROAR and the energy was electrifying! I’m not surprised that the CFL is second in popularity only to hockey!

CFL Beginnings and Fun Facts About the Decade
The CFL was founded in January of 1958, although some teams in the league were established long before this date. The Toronto Argonauts, for example, were founded in 1873. [1]

The first Grey Cup game to be aired on TV was in 1952, with colour TV coming out just two years before that, in 1950. [2]

Throughout the 1950s, the Grey Cup Championship was held in Vancouver twice, and in Toronto eight times. [3]

By 1950, wearing helmets in Canadian pro football had been a requirement for two years. [4]

Raise Your Team Up – Do It with Flags!
Get your team’s flag on and join fans across Canada as we all stand behind our favorites! No matter who you’re rooting for, we’re here to set you up! Please follow the link for the CFL schedule, current standings, news and more!

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Sources:
[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] https://www.cfl.ca

Easter’s Origins, Symbols and Traditions Around the World

On Easter weekend and between Christmas and New Years are the only times of the year that The Flag Shop closes its shop and offices for more than two days. During these times, our team takes a well-deserved break from work to enjoy quality time with family and friends. But Easter is about more than taking a 4-day weekend.

What is Easter?
For many people, Easter is about decorating eggs, chocolate bunnies, springtime, and new beginnings. But how many of us know the origins of Easter? Like Christmas, Easter is a Christian observance and celebration, which focuses on the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his resurrection three days later. On Good Friday, Jesus died, and on Easter Sunday, he rose again.

The origins of the word “Easter” are subject to debate. The word is said to be derived from the Jewish festival of Passover, which is known as “Pesach” in Hebrew. This corresponds with several European terms for Easter, such as “Pascha” in Greek, “Paques” in French and “Pasqua” in Italian. Passover celebrations take place around the same time as Easter, in remembrance of the time when the Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt.

The term “Easter” is also said to reference to the Old English pagan goddess of spring or renewal, known as Ēostre or Ostara. Mentioned in the scholarly writings of a monk named Bede, Ēostre was celebrated by the Anglo-Saxons in the month of April.

Why Does Easter Fall on Different Dates Every Year?
If you’re unclear about why Easter falls on different dates every year, we’re pretty sure you’re in good company, among the many others who would love to know! The date for Easter Sunday is based on ancient rules which dictate that Easter must take place on the first Sunday following the first full moon after March 21st (also known as the vernal equinox). This means that for most Christians, Easter will fall somewhere between March 22nd and April 25th.

Brazil Boasts World’s Largest Egg
Speaking of eggs, the town of Pomerode in Brazil is home to a famous local artist named Silvana Pujol, who developed her own style of painting eggshells. Each year the town hosts an Easter Festival called Osterfest to celebrate this homegrown artist and her work. The world’s largest decorated Easter egg is the pride Pomerode and will be featured at the festival, which welcomes more than 200,000 visitors each year. The egg is 49.25’ tall and 28.6’ in diameter and took nearly seven weeks to build. The colourful design is Pujol’s creation, which was scaled to adorn the giant egg.^[1]

Easter Around the World
1. Canada – People attend church services, get together with family for a special dinner, have Easter egg hunts, and give gifts of chocolate eggs and bunnies.
2. Greece – In the Orthodox tradition eggs are dyed in a dark red colour, which is symbolic of life, victory and blood.
3. France – In Alsace, people celebrate Easter with special markets where bunnies, both of the furry and the chocolate varieties, can be found.
4. India – While only 2.5% of the population is of Christian faith, Easter celebrations take place most commonly in the northeastern states. In Goa, they hold street carnivals and street plays, and give gifts of brightly-coloured lanterns and flowers.^[2]
5. Australia – We’ve all heard of the chocolate bunny, but what about the chocolate bilby? The bilby is an endangered native animal to Australia and candy companies more commonly make chocolate bilbies – not bunnies, for Easter.

Vatican City and the Flag
Easter Week starts on Palm Sunday when the Pope leads a special mass at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City. Vatican City is the smallest country in the world with a population of 800,^[3] and is ruled by the head of the Roman Catholic Church. Surrounded by Rome, Italy’s capital, this tiny nation is home to the Sistine Chapel.

The flag of Vatican City is a square shape containing two vertical blocks of gold and white, with the Vatican City Coat of Arms centered on the white side. The coat of arms features the papal tiara and two keys of silver and gold representing spiritual and worldly powers. It was on June 7th, 1929, when Pope Pius XI signed the Lateran Treaty with Italy, creating Vatican City and adopting its flag.

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Happy Easter!

—
Sources:
^[1] http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/commercial/2019/4/giant-multicoloured-easter-egg-towers-over-brazilian-town-567276
^[2] https://www.rd.com/culture/easter-traditions-around-the-world/
^[3] http://worldpopulationreview.com/countries/vatican-city-population/

Canada’s Largest Territory Turns 20 on April 1st, 2019!

As proclaimed 20 years ago, on April 1st, 1999, Nunavut (an Inuit word meaning “our land”) became the newest territory in Arctic Canada. As part of the largest land claims settlement in our nation’s history, this monumental event gave the Nunavummiut – which means “the people of Nunavut” – control over the eastern portion of what was formerly the Northwest Territories. Nunavut spans 350,000 square kilometres, and brought about the first change to the map of Canada since Newfoundland joined Confederation 50 years earlier, on March 31st, 1949.

20th Anniversary Calls for Something Special
We think Nunavut’s 20th anniversary is a big deal, and it so happens that the Royal Canadian Mint does too! In celebration of Nunavut, the mint produced its first-ever coin minted of 99.99% pure Nunavut gold! The commemorative coin was designed by Inuk artist, Andrew Qappik, of Pangnirtung and reflects beautiful Nunavut wildlife, such as the ptarmigan, the walrus and the bowhead whale – all of which are outlined by a maple leaf. ^[1]

The Flag Tells Its Own Story
With the proclamation of the territory, the official flag of Nunavut was also proclaimed. The Inuksuk at the centre of the flag represents the stone structures, deeply rooted in Inuit culture, and made by people on the land. They are used for marking sacred or other locations, such as fishing or hunting spots. The colours of yellow and blue represent the richness of the sea, land and sky, while the red reflects Canada. The blue star, known as Niqirtsuituq or North Star, is the traditional guide for navigation and also serves to honour the leadership role of the elders in the community.^[2]

Seven Interesting Facts about Nunavut ^[3][4]
1.  Iqaluit is the capital of Nunavut, Canada’s smallest capital city, with a population of 7,082.^[5]
2.  In June, Iqaluit has nearly 24 hours of daylight and in December, only about six hours.

3.  Traditional Inuit foods, called “Country Food” include arctic char, whale meat and seal meat.
4.  Mining industries includes diamonds, sliver, gold, copper, zinc, oil and gas.
5.  Languages most commonly spoken include Inuktitut, French and English.
6.  Jordin Tootoo, who played hockey on various NHL teams, was raised in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut.

7.  Most roads are not paved and Stop signs are in English and Inuktitut.

Hey Newfoundland! Happy Ever-So-Slightly Belated 70th!
If you’re wondering what we mean by “ever-so-slightly”, it was on March 31st, 1949, at one minute before midnight, that Newfoundland and Labrador, joined Confederation with Canada. Before then, Newfoundland was its own independent nation. Happy septuagenarian (that’s fancy talk for 70th birthday) to Canada’s 10th and youngest province!

The Flag Shop is here to help you celebrate your province or territory! We’ve got everything you need in flags, but did you know, there’s a lot more to us than flags? To take a closer look at our provincial and territorial offerings, including flags, lanyards, windsocks, decals and more, please visit: http://shop.flagshop.com/index.php/canada-flags/provincial-territory-flags.html

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Sources:
[1] Royal Canadian Mint
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Nunavut
[3] http://www.softschools.com/facts/canada/nunavut_facts/2813/
[4] https://kids.kiddle.co/Nunavut
[5] Census Profile, 2016 Census

Better the Balance Better the World

International Women’s Day (IWD) comes around every year on March 8th. IWD is also known as the United Nations Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace, and is a day to recognize women’s achievements throughout history. This day is set aside to honour contributions of political, social, economic, and cultural impact by women. The 2019 IWD theme is #BalanceforBetter, spotlighting the importance of gender balance around the globe.

What Does Gender Balance Look Like?
The time is now, more than ever, to make a collective effort towards gender balance, whether it’s in executive teams, government leadership, wealth, sports teams, or media.^[1] Gender balance is not a women’s issue. Everyone has the power, the ability and the responsibility to make a difference, in terms of impacting gender balance for the better. By working together towards greater gender equality, girls growing up in today’s world will have the best chances to reach their fullest potential.

Doreen and Susan Braverman

The Flag Shop – Leadership by Women
In 1975, Doreen Braverman founded The Flag Shop, starting the first full-service flag store in the world. Talk about tipping the #BalanceforBetter, nearly 45 years ago! Then, in 2010, Susan Braverman, Doreen’s daughter, bought the company and became President. It’s the clear vision and strong leadership of these women in the earliest days of the company, that have contributed to its lasting legacy, which is the thriving business we know today.

What’s New to IWD This Year, You Ask?^[2]
It’s the 2019 IWD Worldwide Photo Contest! Supported by the 2019 IWD campaign’s exclusive image partner, EyeEm, this contest promotes photography as a powerful way to celebrate the strength and diversity of women. For all the details, to enter, or to see some amazing imagery capturing the beauty of women, please visit: https://bit.ly/2G9cliZ.

International Women’s Day Events Across Canada  
There are countless events and celebrations happening all over the world. Though we wish we could list them all, here’s a peek at few of we found taking place across Canada, with convenient links to more details:

Vancouver, BC
Friday, March 8th, 2019
Equality Breakfast
For information, please visit: https://bit.ly/2XuzqSE

Friday, March 8th, 2019
Recovery Blues: Live at the Metro
For information, please visit: https://bit.ly/2Tgsdab

Friday, March 8th, 2019
International Women’s Day Fundraiser & Art Show at Bandidas Taqueria
For information, please visit: https://bit.ly/2SLFdzu

To March 10th, 2019
Vancouver International Women in Film Festival – To March 10th
For information, please visit: https://bit.ly/2ThCov8

Victoria, BC
Friday, March 8th, 2019
Bridges for Women 9th Annual International Women’s Day Luncheon
For information, please visit: https://bit.ly/2tPTEIY

Nanaimo, BC
Friday, March 8th, 2019
BCFMWU Women’s Committee Meet and Greet
For information, please visit: https://bit.ly/2UlLIdV

Calgary, AB
Friday, March 8th, 2019
Getting to Equal
For information, please visit: https://bit.ly/2EMp3Cp

Friday, March 8th, 2019
Women Changing Lives
For information, please visit: https://bit.ly/2XDW9Mb

Moose Jaw, SK
International Women Society of Moose Jaw Potluck Supper
Thursday, March 7th, 2019
For information, please visit: https://bit.ly/2Um2byK

Winnipeg, MB
International Women’s Day by Rising Strong
Friday, March 8th, 2019
For information, please visit: https://bit.ly/2H0JsWO

Toronto, ON
Thursday, March 7th, 2019
IWD Panel: Tech Leaders in Male-Dominated Industries
For information, please visit: https://bit.ly/2HdL26J

Friday, March 8th, 2019
The Resilience Gala presented by Azeeza for Women
For information, please visit: https://bit.ly/2tQ2Mgz

Bellville ON
Thursday, March 7th, 2019
Quinte International Women’s Day
For information, please visit: https://bit.ly/2VvAPX6

London, ON
Thursday, March 7th, 2019
Women in Communications & Technology
For information, please visit: https://bit.ly/2VzlRzB

Windsor, ON
Friday, March 8th, 2019
IWD Concert for Hope
For information, please visit: https://bit.ly/2Hh79ZV

Montreal, QC
Thursday, March 7th, 2019
CIBPA Montreal Women’s Day Cocktails
For information, please visit: https://bit.ly/2NJKfeV

Halifax, NS
Friday, March 8th, 2019
Girls EmPOWERment Conference
For information, please visit: https://bit.ly/2BZM7LV

Friday, March 8th, 2019
4th Annual NSFL International Women’s Day Breakfast
For information, please visit: https://bit.ly/2IQV14r

Whitehorse, YT
Friday, March 8th, 2019
International Women’s Day: Female Entrepreneurs Share their Best Advice
For information, please visit:  https://bit.ly/2GX5kSN

Custom flag made by The Flag Shop Nova Scotia for the Government House

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Sources:
[1] https://www.internationalwomensday.com/Theme
[2] https://www.internationalwomensday.com/Photography