Tomorrow, September 18, Toronto and the First Nations Andean Council-Toronto will be hosting the 10th annual raising of the Wiphala flag to recognize:
- the autumn equinox,
- the 15th anniversary of the First Nations Andean Council, and
- the growing population of Andean aboriginal people in Toronto.
Wiphala is:
- an emblem made up of 49 squares of the seven colours of the rainbow;
- “commonly used as a flag, representing the native peoples of all the Andes that include today’s Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador and parts of Argentina, Chile and Colombia.”; and is
- a symbol of indigenous resistance.
The significance and meanings for each color are as follows:
- Red: The Earth and the Andean man
- Orange: Society and culture
- Yellow: Energy
- White: Time
- Green: Natural resources
- Blue: The heavens
- Violet: Andean government and self-determination
10th Annual Wiphala Flag-Raising
Sunday, September 18
3 p.m.
Podium Green Roof, Toronto City Hall,
100 Queen St. W.,
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Performances by Traditional
Musicians and Dancers from Each Country
Contact Info:
Phone within Toronto city limits: 311
Phone outside city limits: 416-392-CITY (2489)
(can be used within Toronto if you can’t reach 311)
TTY customers: 416-338-0TTY (0889)
Fax: 416-338-0685
E-mail: 311@toronto.ca
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Media Advisory
September 16, 2011
City of Toronto hosts the 10th annual Wiphala flag-raising
The City of Toronto and the First Nations Andean Council-Toronto are hosting the 10th annual raising of the Wiphala flag to recognize the autumn equinox, the 15th anniversary of the First Nations Andean Council, and the growing population of Andean aboriginal people in Toronto.
Date: Sunday, September 18
Time: 3 p.m.
Location: Podium Green Roof, Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen St. W.
The Wiphala is a symbol of indigenous resistance and is made up of 49 squares of the seven colours of the rainbow. The territory of the indigenous Andean population includes Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, northern Chile, northern Argentina and southern Colombia.
There will be performances by traditional musicians and dancers from each country.
Toronto is Canada’s largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.6 million people. Toronto’s government is dedicated to delivering customer service excellence, creating a transparent and accountable government, reducing the size and cost of government and building a transportation city. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.