Today is Flag Day

As part of activities leading up to Dominica’s 34th Independence celebrations, Dominica will observe Flag Day or Joune Dwapo today.

Cultural Projects Officer at the Cultural Division, Gregory Rabess, said the purpose of Flag Day is to bring about greater appreciation for the country’s national identity. “Flag Day was instituted some years ago by the Cultural Division as part of Independence Celebrations as a way for the population to display and give recognition to the flag. The flag is one of our symbols of our nationhood and our national identity. It is an effort especially during the Independence season to get people to appreciate the flag and understand what the various components of the flag are,” he revealed.

Dominicans at home and abroad have been encouraged to display the Dominica flag throughout the day. “It is a day when nationals are encouraged to display the flag at offices, outside private homes, in vehicles,” Rabess emphasized.

Dominica’s flag was legally established by Act No. 18 of 1978 of The National Emblems of Dominica Act which was signed by the then Governor, Sir Louis Cools-Lartigue on October 31, 1978. It was Gazetted on November 1, 1978 and became effective on November 3, that same year.

Dominica’s flag has a green background representing the forested island. A cross, made up of three bands representing “the Trinity of God” is white, black and yellow in colour, and the cross itself “demonstrates belief in God”. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT DOMINICA’S FLAG

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26 Comments

  1. /////////..
    October 31, 2012

    Proud Dominican this is so true, I have a probflem with some of the replicars of the Flag. for instance, you think that the Government offices would set the example but they have imitated flags. Check out the ten stars, they are all green when it should be green with yellow tNOrimmings. the parrot is facing the wong side. Dominicans should be made aware of the correct flag and protest by not purchasing these fake flags. Can we in Dominican print tne US flag with 49 stars or add pinkk to their flag?NO

  2. Proud Domnije
    October 31, 2012

    I am very glad that we are taking the time to appreciate our flag today! however, i would like to advise the powers that be, to make sure that the flags which are being sold are a true replica of the biggest national symbol of our country. Ive come across flags with pink, yes pink feathers! Also those of us who buy the flags, please make sure its the right one, if u r not sure do some research, please. And for the Customs and the powers that be, the flags which are not a true representation of our flag should e prohibited from entering the country and laws should be enacted and implemented to that effect. Have u ever seen an American, Canadian or closer to home any Trinidadian, Jamaican, Bajan, Grenadian or any other nation’s flag with colours that are not the right ones or the symbols in different colours? If we are goin to hve and celebrate Flag Day these are the issues which we must address or else it doesnt make any sense!

  3. Pato
    October 31, 2012

    True nuh? Those flags loss man

  4. ROSEAU VALLEY
    October 31, 2012

    This is how our legitimate, well-loved, loyal, patriotic and law abiding deceased former president, His Excellency Sir Clarence Seignoret said in his speech to parliament on Monday, 16 June 1986 at the 1st meeting, 2nd session of the 3rd parliament under the Commonwealth of Dominica Constitution Order, 1978.

    “Madam Speaker, \Honourable Members,

    The National Flag

    Every country has a national flag, which is seen as the prime expression of national identity and supreme mark of independence. The hosting of a national flag is almost always the symbol of the achievement of independence. We proudly witnessed this at midnight on 2nd November 1978. Such a flag is for general use by citizens, although subject to a strict code of etiquette.

    There is archaeological evidence that heraldry is as old as the human race and the carrying of banners has been done by nations since the beginning of time.

    It is not always easy to understand what transforms a mere rectangle of coloured cloth into an emblem to stir the spirit of a nation. However, we all must try to appreciate and understand the lofty tradition for which this emblem stands.

    As Sir Edward Hansley puts it in his well known lines, “it is not so much the flag itself stirs our souls as the deeds that were done beneath it”. This is generally true whether the deeds are those of war or of peace, of a nation rightfully struggling to be free, of exploration”

    Oh! how I miss the days when Dominica had a president that was above the fray of partisan politics and insulated from all the gutter politics into which the Labour administration has unfortunately dragged the office.

    I wish all Dominicans and all former Prime Ministers and former Presidents, especially Mr. Patrick Roland John, Mr. O. J. Seraphine, His Excellency V. Shaw and may the departed souls of patriotic men and women like President Crispin Anselm Sorhaindo, OBE, His Excellency Sir Clarence Seignoret, G.C.B., O.B.E and Ms. Mary Eugenia Charles rest in peace.

    Happy Flag Day and independence celebrations to all

    With lots of respect and deep patriotism
    Roseau Valley

  5. Mie
    October 31, 2012

    God bless my native land

  6. OUT OF TOWN
    October 31, 2012

    MAY THE REAL DOMINCAN FLAG FLY HIGH DURING FLAG DAY.
    THE PARROT FACES EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT; AND THE BREAST IS EIHTER PURPLE OR PINK, YELLOW OR WHITE, RED OR ORANGE.

  7. PICODEAU
    October 31, 2012

    National Pledge

    The National Pledge was written by Peter Israel.

    On occasions when the National Pledge is recited the following form should be used:

    “Before God and all mankind,
    I pledge allegiance to the flag
    of the Commonwealth of Dominica
    and to the Sovereign Republic for which it stands;
    my love, my loyalty and skills,
    in the service of Dominica and my fellow citizens.
    I promise to work diligently and to help build
    a prosperous and peaceful Nation.”

  8. african queen
    October 31, 2012

    well my high up in my living room,on my homepage my phone it all over Happy flag day sweet Dominica.

  9. waitukubuli-original
    October 31, 2012

    That’s idolatry. Worshiping a flag.

    • DOMINICA
      October 31, 2012

      we are not worshipng any flag little mind.
      understand religion and culture.

      • waitukubuli-original
        October 31, 2012

        A little-minded person is one who resort to name calling when another has an opposing view; one who fails to agree to disagree in a civil manner.

        BTW – I was not talking about religion/culture. Jesus is not interested in religion nor the culture of this world. If I do understand culture, voodoo in some countries, is cultural- should that be overlooked with respect to a Holy God?

        Let me say it again, I see that flag waving, flag adoring, flag flying as pure idolatry. If you disagree,then I respect your view but I don’t agree with it.

    • ideal
      October 31, 2012

      Stupes..we are not worshiping the flag just paying homage to our island We are proud of our flag and our Dominica

    • October 31, 2012

      @Waitikubuli–Original

      I am a Spiritually sensitive person, but I do not see the Flag of a country as an example of “Idol worshiping”–otherwise the whole world are idol worshippers.

      We raise the Flag once a year–or perhaps at special events–to present who we are as people or Nation of the world and the love and respect for our homeland and her people–especially those whom God calls to be our leaders, as He does His work through them.

      In our case, for example, the Flag represents us as people of Dominica–the Land of our Birth–according to God’s plan; I am saying that the Flag tells the “world” who we are; it is our “singular” name as people of Dominica–our Coat of Arms describes ua as a people of Dominica.

      It is the same as having your name or surname pinned on your clothing when in a large crowd, for special reasons–how would you be identified without that special name, among other things, including your Flag.

      Also, we are Christians, but if we go out among other groups of people for special reasons, who are not Christians, how are we to be identified without the cross which symbolizes the manner by which Jesus suffered and died for our sake–that is reason builds our faith in Him, and our Love towards Him, as Christians.

      God has called us, in our various parts in this worlds, as Nations. He knows who we are; but as human beings we need to be identified among ourselves.

      Once again I am saying that our Flag is our name as a Nation, if we do not respect our name as a Nation–who will respect us?

      Sincerely
      Liz Xavier

    • October 31, 2012

      shut upppppppppppp

  10. The Truth
    October 31, 2012

    What happened to the Dominica Flag? Almost every school child in Dominica today is flying a phony flag. Why is Astaphans and other businesses selling flags with white breasted parrots. The color on the parrot is suppose to be purple not white. I heard a parent say “that’s a minor thing, we will just paint on the color”. What nonsense is this?! These are not Dominican Flags and anyone selling these to the public should be fined. What kind of citizens are we if we will just accept any flag and call it our own. Do you think the US would settle for waving a flag with red stars instead of white. Dominica has lost its identity.

    • anno
      October 31, 2012

      I always hve my flag flying high at my desk at work. I sit at the reception area and many people ask “what flag is this?” because it is so unique. That is why I am very particular with the flags I fly. It has to be the orignal parrot and and not any of the fake things sold for commercial gains. I even chastise my fellow D/cans when I see then on Toronto & NY with these fakes. I do not wear anything made out of the flag or with the flag on it, no earings, tops, etc. I may wear a T-shit with the D/Can flag but not a shirt made out of the flag.

  11. October 31, 2012

    love to celebrate this day.I love a dominican flag ehh. 8) 8) 8) 8) 8)

  12. Hon. Norris Prevost, MP. Roseau Central
    October 31, 2012

    I wish to Congratulate the Cultural Division for initiating and continuing Flag Day.

    The National Emblems of Dominica, Our National Flag, Our Anthem, our Prayer and our Pledge, are very significant and I believe that our population, especially our Children should be educated about them. That is why in Sept. I visited all the Preschools in Roseau, to share with them information about the National Prayer.

    This year particularly, I would like to raise a consciousness of our Nation to the fact that Dominica has a National Prayer.

    I took the decision to focus on our National Emblems and National Prayer because I recognized two things.

    I realized that, sadly, many Dominicans do not feel proud to be a Dominican anymore and they need to regain that pride.

    Secondly, Dominica is going through a difficult time right now where moral values are being put aside at the highest levels.
    I share the view of the late Hon. Henckell Christian when in his address to our youth on the 1st Nov 1978 on the topic ‘The role of youth in an Independent Dominica’, he said, “We are confident that by inculcating respect for our National Flag, respect for our National Anthem,and for our National Prayer and pledge, we can effectively awaken that national consciousness, which is the basis of Patriotism- love of one’s Country regardless of our race, our colour our creed.”
    Indeed, this is what Citizenship is about: Patriotism and Loyalty to Country.
    It is a challenging task to teach our youth and our New Economic Citizens to be Patriotic to Dominica. i therefore commend the Cultural Division for their efforts in relation to flag Day.
    May be those members of parliament, who are proposing that they should have dual citizenship and still sit in Parliament should take a refresher course on our National emblems, especially our National Pledge, Patriotism and Citizenship.
    Hon. Norris Prevost MP
    Roseau Central

    • ROSEAU VALLEY
      October 31, 2012

      Thank you for this Hon. Prevost. You remind me of the memorable and patriotic speech delivered in the parliament of Dominica by His Excellency Sir Clarence Seignoret, G.C.B., O.B.E, (deceased), a legitimate, legally installed, well-loved and respected President of the Commonwealth of Dominica.

      The speech was delivered on Monday, 16 June 1986 at the 1st meeting, 2nd session of the 3rd parliament under the Commonwealth of Dominica Constitution Order, 1978.

      His Excellency Sir Clarence Seignoret, called on us to respectfull of our national symbols and who we are as a people. He proudly stated;

      “At this point in time, our National Emblems, provided for by Statute include: The Coat of Arms, The National Flag, and The National Flower. It is possible that we may wish to follow the practice in certain countries and add to these, a National Anthem. Already, the Sisserou parrot, scientifically known as amazona imperialis, and popularly referred to as “The Pride of Dominica”, is widely regarded as the Dominica National Bird. Similarly, our National Song: “Isle of Beauty” used before Independence, has been officially accepted as the Dominica National Anthem.”

      I share your sentiments Sir and encourage you to read my full article on the subject

      Respectfuly
      Roseau Valley

  13. Anonymous
    October 31, 2012

    We no longer have any identity if we ever had it at all which would explain why our tenuous “independence” was so quick to disintegrate.

    The existing flag is meaningless.

    We are a mesh of american hip hop gangster and american black ghetto and african politricks.

    Change the flag to incorporate the symbols of gold teeth, gold chains, grossly overweight women wearing tank tops and pum pum shorts ‘wining up, guy with pants belted at the knees, teenage girl bouncing 2 babies on her hips, a pastor squeezing tje backside of one his young female memebers, a group of young men sitting on the corner doing nothing but grabbing their crotches, and the teefing politician but will leave it to the artist to figure out how best to symbolize that oh! Skerrit’s and Blackmore’s homes!

    OH! and add a dragon and the image of Chavez for good measure!

    Then we talking Flag Day!

    • October 31, 2012

      brilliant pieces

    • October 31, 2012

      @Anonymous

      And if you removed all of those negative things from your mind, you would be able to call to our God of Love, full of mercy and compassion, to bless us with the attitude and conduct of cleanliness and wellness–if indeed, that is what you want to witness in your people and mine as well. For that would be the hope in your mind; and I know that hope is from God; He does not disappoint us–otherwise, how could we give Him the glorym which is our first duty on earth.

      Perhaps you do not know that in the days of ancient Israel–who were God’s chosen people at that time, and still is according to the Spirit–God always worked through one person be that person a prophet, a judge, or a King, to give deliverance to His people in their combat of living. God is still doing that today!

      When God called Gideon to deliver the Israelites from their enemies–who were the Midianites at that time–Gideon chose 25,000 men to go to battle, against them, but God caused him to reduce that number to 300 men–just so that the Israelites would understand it was His power that worked to give them victory in Life–not their human strength. Gideon won the battle the battle against the Midianitesm with only the three hundred men, and no weapon but light torches–its a long story.

      What is my point? It would make such a huge difference in our country, if people would stop nurturing negative seeds in their minds, because those seeds grow and bring forth negative fruits–we do not need those fruits in our lives.

      I mean that, if in your mind, you continue to think of your people as criminals, even if it is one or two crimes that happen in six months, in your mind it will seem like a one or two hundred.

      Now you continue to even more paranoid than you already was–like you are illustratin in that comment above–a provocation to those around you to think the same way as you do–in most cases they will do the crime, which you are asking form epecially the young mind.

      Can you see how it is the state of mind in people, that present the lifestyle in our environment right up to our homeland, either in a bad, negative shape or in a good and developing shape?

      Last week there was a survey that sited the happiest place to live in this world–don’t expect me to tell you that Dominica was anywhere on that list. Canada, where I now live, which is one of the richest countries in the world was at number four, the USA was at number seven.

      The Flag of Dominica is not for the sake of worship, as someone mentioned below, but it is a symbol of remembrance that God gave us this part of land on the earth, with such beautiful landscape and climate to go with it.

      This Flag should provoke our attitude of gratitude, thankfulness, and appreciation, to our God of Love; if indeed, we are the God fearing people, according to our National Anthem.

  14. papa met
    October 31, 2012

    what a beautiful flag! God bless Dominica. Apres Bon Dieu C’est La Terre! Big Up Alwin Bully for a Job well done still 34 yrs later a BEAUTIFUL FLAG!

  15. Anonymous
    October 31, 2012

    The authorities need to ban those bogus flags with the parrot with white where the purple should be.

  16. RASTA MAN
    October 31, 2012

    bless love to all. fly our flag high on flag day which is dis day.

  17. Citizen K
    October 31, 2012

    I saw 2 flags so far for the day.

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