'High time' to honour pair chosen for Black History Month stamps, says Winnipeg-based creator

A Winnipeg-based designer says it was a "wonderful honour" to design a pair of stamps honouring two historicalCanadians for this year's Black History Month.

The stamps honourLincoln Alexander, Canada's first black member of Parliamentand a former Ontario lieutenant-governor, and Kathleen "Kay"Livingstone, a former actress and grassroots activistwho founded the group that would eventually become theCongress of Black Women of Canada.

"They are very prominent individuals in Canadian history, and it was certainly high time that they were recognized in a significant way," said Andrea Tetrault,a partner at Winnipeg-based design group Ttro,in a Thursday interview with CBC Radio'sUp To Speed.

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The firm was one of a small group of designers asked by Canada Post to submit ideas for the stamps in 2015. An advisorycommittee selectedTtro's submission and worked with the firm to create the final design. Tetraultsaid the process had to be kept secret until the stamps were unveiled for this year's Black History Month.

"It feels like such a big mantle of responsibility, but so wonderful," Tetrault said.

'Wonderful honour'

The stamps each feature a portrait of their subjects taken later in their lives,with a scene in the background that tells another part of their story.

In Alexander's stamp, he's seen in profile with Parliament Hill's Peace Tower behind him.Tetraultsaid it's a nod to his career as a public servant.

"That seemed like a very fitting tribute to a man of his stature and to what he accomplished," she said.

Alexander, who died in 2012 at age 90, was named "Greatest Hamiltonian of All Time"by readers of the Hamilton Spectator.Tetraultsaid he was known for his love of meeting with the public and gave an "astonishing" number of handshakes throughout his career.

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Livingstone's is a smiling, head-on portrait. The background of the stamp shows her hosting a public meeting. Livingstone, who was born in London, Ont., in 1918, was a driving force in building collective awareness and pride in the Toronto black community following the Second World War, according to Parks Canada.

"Being that grassroots, rallying individual, that seemed like a great shot for her,"Tetraultsaid.

This year's creations are the second set of stamps Tetrault'sfirm has designed for Canada Post.

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"I think it's just maybe a testament to how much we take these things to heart," she said.

"We do this every day, and a lot of the work we do isadmittedlysomewhat disposablebut stamps are not. They end up in the [Canadian Museum of History] for all time. So we feel it's a big responsibility and such a wonderful honour and challenge."