Penobscot Indian Nation (U.S.)

Last modified: 2002-09-28 by rick wyatt
Keywords: native american | penobscot | united states |
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by Dave Martucci, 16 April 2000

• Description of the flag
• Great Seal

See also:

• Native Americans
• Maine
• Massachusetts
• United States of America
• Penobscot Indian Nation site

The Penobscot Nation has two flags. The tribal government flag for use in public is white bearing the great seal of the nation. In addition to the tribal government flag, the Penobscot people have a 'tribal flag' which is only displayed in the Tribal Council Chambers, and has been described as multi-colored, bearing a wikiyup and other symbols.
Dave Martucci, 16 April 2000

According to the Vexillon winning "Flags of the Native Peoples of the United States" by Don Healy (published in NAVA's RAVEN 3/4):

"In the center of the seal is a Penobscot warrior, possibly Sockalexis, in profile, surrounded by an ornate border that resembles three tombstones, each forming a cross. On the arm of each cross is the name of a particular virtue -- 'PURITY', 'FAITH', and 'VALOR' -- the three comprising the tribal motto. In a ring around the bust is the name of the tribe in English and in Penobscot 'PENOBSCOT NATION' and 'BUR-NUR-WURB-SKEK'. Behind the warrior is a pine forest." "The three crosses symbolize the Holy Trinity ... Each cross also carries a year: under 'PURITY' is '1605', the year English Captain Weymouth kidnapped five Penobscots and took them to England; under 'FAITH' is '1687', the year the first Catholic mission was established on Indian Island; under 'VALOR' is '1612', the year of the war with the Eastern Abenaki. At the base of each of the three crosses, outside the circle, are tree branches representing tribal growth." "Two dates appear in a ring surrounding Sockalexis' portrait. At the top is '1669', commemorating the war with the Iroquois, at the bottom is '1749', marking the treaty of peace with Massachusetts that ended King George's War. The twelve flint fire starters in the ring symbolize the unity of the tribe. The entire seal has a serrated edge, a whole circle to denote the sun."