Nunavut (Canada)

ISO 3166-2 Code: CA-NU
MARC Code: nuc

This page is best displayed with a Unicode implementation that includes the Unified Canadian Aboriginal Syllabics glyphs.

Formerly the eastern part of the Northwest Territories which has received a separate status on 1 April 1999.

From a Canadian Government publication:

The colours blue and gold are the ones preferred by the Nunavut Implementation Commissioners to symbolize the riches of the land, and sky. Red is a reference to Canada. The inukshuk symbolizes the stone monuments which guide the people on the land an mark sacred and other special places. The star is Nitirqsuituq, the North Star and the traditional guide for navigation and more broadly, forever remains unchanged as the leadership of the elders in the community.

An inukshuk is a man-like figure made of stones used by the Inuit when they go hunting to find their way and also to frighten caribous and lead them into a trap. Many of the flag propositions use this symbol.

Luc-Vartan Baronian 26 January 1998

Here is the text of the Flag of Nunavut Act:

Flag of Nunavut

1. The flag of Nunavut, as most graciously granted by His Excellency the Governor General of Canada, the Right Honourable Roméo LeBlanc, in his warrant of March 31, 1999, is hereby confirmed as the flag of Nunavut.

Source: attavik.ca (PDF file)
Ivan Sache, 1 July 2006

The first flag hoisted over Nunavut will likely be returned to the territorial assembly following a journey to Saint John, New Brunswick. As the legislative assembly was not complete at the time of the creation of the territory on 1 April 1999, the legislators held their first session in the local high school. When the legislature left the school, the original flag was left behind and ended up in the garbage and rescued by Brian Carey. Carey moved to Saint John and took the flag with him. As of 11 May, 2006 the was hanging in his art store, and spotted by Wendy Thomas, an employee of the Department of Canadian Heritage.
Edited from a report by Ivan Sache (11 May 2006) quoting a story at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation website.

The dominant colours, blue and gold, are the ones preferred by the Nunavut Implementation Commissioners to symbolize the riches of the land, sea and sky.

In the base of the shield, the inuksuk symbolizes the stone monuments which guide the people on the land and mark sacred and other special places. The qulliq, or Inuit stone lamp, represents light and the warmth of family and the community.

Above, the concave arc of five gold circles refers to the life-giving properties of the sun arching above and below the horizon, the unique part of the Nunavut year. The star is the Niqirtsuituq, the North Star and the traditional guide for navigation and more broadly, forever remains unchanged as the leadership of the elders in the community.

In the crest, the igloo represents the traditional life of the people and the means of survival. It also symbolizes the assembled members of the Legislature meeting together for the good of Nunavut; with the Royal Crown symbolizing public government for all the people of Nunavut and the equivalent status of Nunavut with other territories and provinces in Canadian Confederation.

The tuktu (caribou) and qilalugaq tugaalik (narwhal) refer to land and sea animals which are part of the rich natural heritage of Nunavut and provide sustenance for people.

The compartment at the base is composed of land and sea and features three important species of Arctic wild flowers.

The motto, in Inuktitut, NUNAVUT SANGINIVUT (ᓄᓇᕗᑦ ᓴᙱᓂᕗᑦ) means 'Nunavut, our strength'.

from the fact sheets of the Government of Canada