Anthony Drake’s visit to Saskatchewan
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Anthony Drake, the designer of the Saskatchewan Flag, was honoured this past May by the Saskatchewan Flag Foundation. Anthony, a UK resident, returned to Saskatchewan with his wife and son to tour several Saskatchewan municipalities including Hodgeville and Ponteix, where Drake once lived. Drake met with The Lieutenant Governor, Her Honour, The Honourable Vaughn Solomon Schofield, and the Premier. During his visit, he had the opportunity to give flag presentations in various municipalities; raising the provincial flag during his visit with the Army, Navy and Air Force Cadets at their drill hall in Swift Current and later at the police station in Moose Jaw. Anthony expressed that he was moved and humbled at the way people relished the flag and the meaning behind its design. He expressed gratitude at the opportunity to experience Saskatchewan’s culture once again and for the hospitality he experienced during his various tours. In a written letter, Anthony gives recognition to the many Saskatchewan residents who made his trip back to Saskatchewan a memorable one.
Read Anthony's Letter
The Significance of the Provincial Flag
The Saskatchewan flag’s emblems are important symbols that reflect our values as well as the beauty and tradition we see in our lives, community and the natural world around us. Displayed on the Saskatchewan flag are the provincial colour’s: green and gold, the Shield of Arms and the provincial floral emblem: the western red lily. The upper half of the flag is green, representing the northern-forested areas of the province. The lower half is gold representing the southern grain areas. The Shield of Arms, granted in 1906 by King Edward VII, was Saskatchewan’s first emblem. The western red lily, known botanically as Lilium philadelphicum L. var. andinum, is a protected species, growing only in semi-wooded areas standing out brilliantly against a natural green background.
Anthony’s Vision for the Flag
In 1968, as an opportunity for citizens to express the core of what Saskatchewan’s identity was to them, the Saskatchewan Government held a contest to design the official provincial flag. For Anthony, Saskatchewan was represented in our strong agricultural and forestry sectors which creates the golden sea of our wheat fields and the beauty of our northern forests. The Shield of Arms now occupies the position of honour in the upper hoist, while the provincial flower, the Western Red Lily, occupies the fly.
By using the insignia that represents portions of Saskatchewan’s history, such as the western red lily and wheat sheaf, Anthony’s design for the provincial flag became the symbol of our goals and values and is a tribute to our people and community.