Flipping expectations by flipping the Canadian flag

A youth worker and band councilor from Poundmaker First Nation in Saskatchewan, Colby Tootoosis has been a powwow dancer and flag carrier since he was young.

But two years ago, Colby was dancing at Manito Ahbee - the largest powwow in Canada. He was handed the Canadian Flag, a symbol he believes represents the negative impacts of colonialism on his people. 

So, in that moment, Colby decided he needed to rebel... and take action. 

"Our people have a lot of opportunities to make a difference and to make an impact," said Tootoosis, "however when it comes to that point of taking action they feel so much fear of the consequences, so much fear to offend, too much fear to go against the norm... that they stop and they don't follow through."

"So I followed through. And I turned that flag upside down." 

Almost immediately, reaction began both online and in the arena. Some held Colby up for taking a stand, while others - like the Manito Ahbee committee - called his actions misguided. 

Click the 'listen' button above to hear Colby recount his flag flip and explain the intention behind it.