RED CROSS FLAG DESIGNATED HERITAGE PROPERTY

A plaque designating the first Red Cross flag flown in Canada was unveiled today as a Provincial Heritage Property.

Provincial designation serves to recognize and protect Saskatchewan's most important historic places.

The Red Cross flag belonged to Surgeon Lieutenant Colonel Alfred Codd of the Winnipeg Field Battery who tended wounded soldiers in the battles of Fish Creek and Batoche. It was one of two Red Cross flags flown during the 1885 North-West Resistance. The other is located in the national office of the Canadian Red Cross in Ottawa.

A plaque recognizing the heritage significance of what's called the "Codd Flag" was unveiled at the southern Saskatchewan offices of the Canadian Red Cross in Regina.

"The flying of the Codd Red Cross Flag was an important event in the development of the Canadian Red Cross Society," Regina Northeast MLA Ron Harper said on behalf of Culture, Youth and Recreation Minister Glenn Hagel. "It was the first time the Red Cross symbol was used in Canada and is associated with the history of medical treatment and health care in Saskatchewan."

"We are proud to house this provincially designated heritage flag in our Regina office," Regional Director of the Canadian Red Cross in Southern Saskatchewan Cindy Fuchs said. "It is a symbol of over 100 years of Red Cross providing service to the most vulnerable in Saskatchewan."

The flag is the 43rd provincially designated heritage property. All others are historic structures and archaeological sites.

To view all the provincial heritage sites online, go to www.cyr.gov.sk.ca and follow the heritage links. Individuals and organizations are also encouraged to nominate properties they believe have provincial heritage significance.

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For More Information, Contact:

Carlos Germann Culture, Youth and Recreation Regina Phone: (306) 787-5772