Pictured, from left to right: Vice Chief Martinus Mckay, Northern Store Manager Aaron Leader, Chief Charles Knott and Councillor Mike Taylor with the community’s new mosaic flag.

The people of Garden Hill First Nation (GHFN), MB, received a special Christmas gift this past December from their Northern store – a beautiful mosaic of the community’s flag.

The idea of giving a GHFN flag as a gift came to mind when the Northern Store’s new manager, Aaron Leader, visited the band office to meet the Chief and Council. When Leader saw how the band’s flag was heavily faded due to years of use, he got the idea to gift a piece of timeless art that will never fade. He contacted a long-time friend back in Victoria, BC, a local artist who specializes in mosaic art.  

“I wanted to provide something that reflected the Garden Hill First Nation people – strong, brilliant and will never fade,” Leader explained.

The flag, which is approximately 46 inches wide by 33 inches tall, is being mounted in the Chief and Council chambers. The B.C. artist who created the mosaic, Ted Munz, is often inspired by the unique personalities and musicians that have shaped cultures and attitudes, and has created many mosaics for famous people.

“Ted was quite excited to take the request of creating the GHFN flag" said Leader, who indicated that this was his first opportunity to honour the art of an Indigenous Nation.