Brooks, Alberta

Dec 4

The flag of Brooks, Alberta, is a striking and meaningful emblem of the city's history, culture, and natural environment. Featuring a design of three vertical stripes—two blue stripes on the outer edges and a wider white stripe in the middle—the flag incorporates the city’s crest at its center. The blue stripes symbolize the vast skies and waters that are integral to the city’s landscape, while the wider white stripe represents the fertile land that has sustained Brooks for generations. The crest within this stripe is rich in symbolism, reflecting the area’s agricultural heritage, its irrigation system, and its iconic wildlife.

The city crest, designed by local artist Lois Valli, is a key element of the flag and holds deep connections to the community’s identity. The outer shape of the crest is a spade, a symbol that represents the 270,000 acres of irrigated land supported by the Eastern Irrigation District. This vast system of irrigation has been crucial to the region, enabling agriculture to flourish and providing habitats for over 250 species of birds, including migratory species that depend on the region’s ecosystem. This design element highlights the interconnectedness between agriculture and wildlife in the Brooks area, emphasizing the importance of sustainable land and water management.

One of the most prominent features of the crest is the depiction of the Brooks Aqueduct. The aqueduct, represented by white pillars, is an engineering marvel and a national historic site that was constructed more than 80 years ago. It stands as a testament to the ingenuity and vision of those who built it. Suspended 20 meters above the ground, the aqueduct was designed to transfer water to the newly settled farmers and ranchers of the region, helping to transform the area into a thriving agricultural hub. Its inclusion in the crest symbolizes the essential role of irrigation in Brooks' development and ongoing success as a center of agriculture.

In addition to the aqueduct, the city crest prominently features a pheasant, a species for which Brooks is particularly well known. Pheasant hunting is a beloved activity in the area, and the city’s reputation as a prime pheasant hunting destination extends across Canada and the United States. Every year, thousands of pheasants are released for hunting, contributing to both the local economy and the region’s outdoor culture. The pheasant in the crest serves as a reminder of the city’s connection to wildlife and the recreational opportunities available to residents and visitors alike.

The crest also includes a representation of grasses, symbolizing the vast fields and prairie landscapes that surround the Brooks district. These flowing grasses are an iconic part of the natural beauty of the region, evoking a sense of open space and the abundance of nature. The banner at the bottom of the crest reads “Beautiful and Bountiful,” a phrase chosen by the artist to capture the essence of the Brooks District—its wide-open skies, its fertile land, and the abundance of resources that make it a thriving community.