Tommy Prince, 1915-1977

October 28, 2022

Born on St. Peter’s Reserve, Manitoba, into the Brokenhead Ojibway Nation, Sergeant Thomas (Tommy) George Prince, mm (1915-77), was one of Canada’s most decorated Indigenous non-­commissioned officers and war veterans, and a prominent Anishinaabe activist.

In 1940, during the Second World War, Prince enlisted with the Royal Canadian Engineers and trained as a sapper. He later joined the 1st Special Service Force, a joint Canada-U.S. specialized reconnaissance and raiding unit where he gained a reputation for marksmanship, stealth and tracking skills, as well as sheer nerve. His courage and service earned him the Military Medal, Silver Star (U.S.) and nine other decorations, including three (one posthumous) from his two tours of duty in the Korean War. Between the wars, Prince waged a different battle when, as vice-president of the Manitoba Indian Association, he spoke out in favour of abolishing the Indian Act and respecting existing treaties.

The stamp, designed by Blair Thomson | Believe in, features a photo of Prince in his Korean War uniform. The background of northern lights, by Andy Beaver, symbolizes the sky above the Brokenhead Ojibway Nation, where Prince was raised, about 70 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg.

The collectible envelope is cancelled with a legacy cancel, created to mark a true birthplace in a location where no open Canada Post retail outlet currently exists.

Booklet of 10 stamps

Booklet of 10 stamps

$9.20

  • Product #: 414208111
  • Denomination: Permanent™ (domestic rate)
  • Design: Blair Thomson | Believe in
  • Stamps: Library and Archives Canada, PA-128264; background – Andy Beaver; photo of Tommy Prince – Ken Bell, Department of National Defence
  • Dimensions: 32 mm x 32 mm
  • Printer: Lowe-Martin ‡
  • Printing Process: Lithography in 4 colours
  • Quantity: 200,000
  • Gum Type: PVA
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Pane of 5 stamps‡

Pane of 5 stamps‡

$4.60

  • Product #: 404208107
  • Denomination: Permanent™ (domestic rate)
  • Stamps: Library and Archives Canada, PA-128264; background – Andy Beaver; photo of Tommy Prince – Ken Bell, Department of National Defence
  • Dimensions: 160 mm x 180 mm
  • Printer: Lowe-Martin ‡
  • Printing Process: Lithography in 4 colours
  • Quantity: 30,000
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Official First Day Cover

Official First Day Cover

$1.92

  • Product #: 414208131
  • Denomination: Permanent™ (domestic rate)
  • Design: Blair Thomson | Believe in
  • Stamps: Library and Archives Canada, PA-128264; background – Andy Beaver; photo of Tommy Prince – Ken Bell, Department of National Defence
  • Dimensions: 190 mm x 112 mm
  • Printer: Lowe-Martin ‡
  • Quantity: 7,000
  • Gum Type: PVA
  • OFDC Cancellation Location: St. Peter’s Reserve MB
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