Canada Post

Brief

Sergeant Tommy Prince, MM (1915–1977) was one of Canada’s most decorated Indigenous war veterans. He was awarded 11 medals for his service during WWII and the Korean War, including the Military Medal & the Silver Star (U.S.). His legacy and contribution is legendary, and it was an honour to have the opportunity to acknowledge his life and memory — something that was lacking whilst he was alive. This stamp release would not be possible without the help and cooperation of Tommy’s family and the Brokenhead Ojibway First Nation, Manitoba.

Solution

Our primary aim was to encapsulate the duality of Prince’s existence: the resilient Indigenous individual he was and remained, and the Canadian soldier he became. To achieve this, we collaborated with Ojibway visual artist Andy Beaver, who captured the backdrop of the northern lights (aurora borealis) and coniferous treetops from his remote location in Summer Beaver, near the Winisk River Provincial Park in Northern Ontario. We juxtaposed this vibrant image with black and white archival photographs of Prince in his military uniform (colourized by Catchlight, NYC), merging his two worlds into one cohesive vision.

The colour palette, dominated by blues and greens, draws inspiration directly from the aurora, infusing the piece with a warmer, more human touch that resonates with nature, steering away from conventional and stereotypical military aesthetics. The use of a deep midnight blue, rather than black, as the primary background colour was a deliberate choice, further linking the composition to the night sky.

To add an element of dynamism and visual intrigue, we introduced graphic diagonal stripes. These stripes invite interpretation — representing an abstract, modern take on the northern lights; a connection to Tommy’s medal ribbons and regalia; searchlights and aerial warfare; and ancestral sky spirits from Ojibway tradition.

The official launch event was held in Winnipeg at the end of October 2022 at the Canadian Museum of Human Rights.

The project comprised of the stamp itself, a booklet of 10 Permanent™ domestic rate stamps, collectors' Souvenir Sheet, and an Official First Day Cover (which includes a cancellation mark depicting the WWII 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion wings).

All products are available at canadapost.ca and post offices across the country.

Print — Lowe-Martin

Type: Lay Grotesk (except Canada wordmark) — Due Studio

Retouching — Catchlight

Event Photography — Michael Marmur, Pinpoint National Photography

Video — © Canada Post