Machias Seal Island, Maine or Machias Island, New Brunswick

 

Many people have heard of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.  Some know about the Cyprus-Northen Cyprus conflict.  And fewer have heard about the Armenian-Azerbaijan conflict.  But are you aware of the Canadian-American Machias Island territorial conflict?

Machias Seal Island is one of the last of divided lands that sits at the tipping point between two nations.  The two stars represent two peoples divided, or rather united?  The beautiful maple leaf represents the highest honors of respect.  

The dispute is longstanding, on one hand the islands are claimed by Canada by a certain interpretation of a treaty.  However on the US side, the US is closer in proximity since Machias Island.  The islands are ½ a mile closer to the mainland shores of USA.

Both nations have purposefully avoided bringing the issue to settle in the international courts of justice.  So like Palestine and the West Bank, this little slice of Earth is in limbo as of 2020, and for the foreseeable future. 

So what is at stake?  Pride, ego, and the bounty of the sea—mostly a rich lobster income.  In the big picture a loss, or win, for this 20 acre bird refuge would neither hurt nor benefit either nation, yet the impact on several families would be heartfelt.  

Perhaps leaders can try that overlooked middle path option?  Machias Island could become bi-national territory.  This had already happened with Oregon Territory before it was divided, by the 'UK-Canada' and the 'US'.  For 28 years, from 1818 until 1846, Oregon Territory and British Columbia were bi-national.  This land was both American and 'Canadian-British.'     

Reverting to a bi-national territory would give Machias Island special status as both Canadian and American.  

Of course one would have to be a resident of Machias Seal Island to have this automatic dual-Canadian American citizenship.  There are already a lot of Americans and Canadians who hold both passports (Jim Carey and Elon Musk). It would be a controlled experiment of sorts, whereby US and Canadian Coastguards could team up.  

Likewise a small portion of the Island would enter the private sector for residents to set up a tourist bird watching and lobster restaurant.  Indeed it would become a creative experiment.  No doubt the tourist dollars generated by such a political oddity could be used to protect wildlife along the shores of Maine and New Brunswick.  If such a place were to exist, popularity and interest would peak to visit, this inter-sexed land of sorts. 

No doubt a lot could be discovered by such an enterprise.  Such an endeavor may inspire other nations like Russian and Japan, which have a long standing dispute over several islands in the North Pacific.  It'd be like that special customs zone in the airport, whereby both Canada and the US will maintain unique intelligence on such a place.  Finally, the third, bi-national option would acquiesce any bruised egos, so that both nations benefit and something new is created.  

On the other hand, the easy out of this conundrum is to give way and have a winner and loser.  A few families will benefit and this island will become...just another isle.  However if the 'third' option is taken, no doubt the world will watch and learn. 

The two stars represent two nations and two peoples.  The beautiful maple leaf represents the highest honors of respect.

This flag was created to heal the rift between North and South.  In the wake of 2020 to bring clarity and balance.  It is directly inspired by Gérard Gallienne flag proposal from 1931. 

https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/flags-canada-historical/posters.html

https://reg.gg.ca/heraldry/pub-reg/project-pic.asp?lang=e&ProjectID=1262&ProjectElementID=6507

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machias_Seal_Island

 Photo of Machias Island

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Machias+Seal+Island/@44.501886,-67.1018474,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sAF1QipM2bPvaN3iXwghgpmQhD5qNnznE9cBvtf-Pm6Gv!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipM2bPvaN3iXwghgpmQhD5qNnznE9cBvtf-Pm6Gv%3Dw130-h86-k-no!7i2048!8i1354!4m5!3m4!1s0x4ca8e246778dae61:0x75cadc05562582ee!8m2!3d44.502302!4d-67.1012682