Montreal adds Iroquois symbol to flag, strips British general of street name

Montreal has taken steps to recognize the contribution of Indigenous peopleto the city, adding an Iroquois symbol to itscity flagand committing to rename Amherst Street.

The street was originally named afterBritish Gen. Jeffery Amherst, who advocated giving smallpox-laced blankets to Indigenous peoples.

Mayor DenisCoderreunveiled the new flag, which features a white pine tree at its centre, on Wednesday alongsideGhislainPicard, chief of the Assembly of First Nations for Quebec and Labrador.

The announcement was made on the10thanniversary of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The white pine, described as the Great Tree of Peace,isa symbol of the unity of the five nations oftheHaudenosauneeConfederacyalso known as the Iroquois Confederacy or the League of Five Nations which includes the Mohawks.

KahnawakeMohawk Council Chief Christine Zachary-Deom said it was moving to see the new flag raised at city hall.

"When we come from people who have been forgotten for such a long time,it is very touching to find that we are supported," shesaid following the ceremony.

Moving toward reconciliation

Speaking at the announcement, Coderresaidthe change is part of an effort to move toward reconciliation with Indigenous people.

"Today is a historical day for Montreal," he said.

Picardalso praised the decision to add an Indigenous symbol to its flag.

"The raising of the flag is giving me hope that the connection to this territoryis finally acknowledged and recognized," he said.

On Twitter, Prime Minister JustinTrudeaucalled it a"tremendous and historic step forward for Montreal."

The oldflag featured symbolsrepresenting four of the city'sfounding communities. They are still featured in the new version:

• AFleur-de-lys,representing the French.
• AredRose of Lancaster, representing theEnglish.
• A thistle, representing the Scots.
• A shamrock, representing the Irish.

'Goodbye, Mr. Amherst'

Coderre also confirmed the change forAmherst Street.

Scholars have longdebatedAmherst's actions during his service,including evidence he advocated the use of biological warfare, through smallpox blankets, to kill Indigenous people.

• 'Extirpate this execrable race': The dark history of Jeffery Amherst

Picard said Amherst represented "a very dark stain on our history,"and agreed it should be removed.

"Goodbye, Mr. Amherst," Coderre saidin a speech marking the UN declaration.

"If we want reconciliation, I don't think we should celebrate someone who wanted to exterminate Indigenous peoples."

The city has not yet decided on a new name for the street, but said it will be connected to the native community.

"It could be the name of a native chief, or called the avenue of reconciliation. I don't know," he said.