Nunavut

 

 

 

 

 

 

Semi-autonomous Canadian Provence, with own legislature and Primer, formed in 1999

Fifth largest governing territory in the world , with 725,000 sq miles of land and 160,000 sq miles of water (size of western Europe), yet least populated, with 32,000 inhabitants, mostly Inuit. 

As a polar climate, lowest average temperature in the world.    Annual average around -2 °F, with a summer high of up to 70 °F    Think of the range!

Official Languages: Inuktitut Inuinnaqtun, English, and French


 

Coat of Arms and Flag

 

                           

           

 

The coat was designed in collaboration with Inuit elders, leaders, artists, groups, and the general population of the territory. Each symbol was chosen individually from the 800 submissions for the flag and coat of arms that were received. Five draft designs were created in collaboration between the heraldic artist at the Canadian Heraldic Authority and Andrew Qappik, an Inuit artist from Pangnirtung. It is certainly one of the first coats of arms to include elements of Inuit symbolism in a traditional heraldic context.

The shield, presented on a roundel rather than the escutcheon shape traditional in European heraldry, is blue and gold, symbolizing the riches of the land. In chief is a representation of the midnight sun and of the North Star, or Niqirtsuituk. Below are a quilla, a stone lamp representing the warmth of home and community, and an inukshuk (inukhuk, inuksuk), a stone monument serving as a guidepost and a symbol of the territory.

The crest, an igloo (iglu), represents traditional life, survival, and the Nunavut government assembled in the legislature. It is ensigned with a crown representing royal sovereignty.

The supporters, a caribou and narwhal, represent sustenance and natural resources of the land and sea. They stand on a compartment with Arctic poppies, dwarf fireweed, and Arctic heather, alongside an iceberg at sea.

The motto, written in Inuktitut syllabary, is Nunavut Sannginivut (ᓄᓇᕗᑦ ᓴᙱᓂᕗᑦ, or, Our Land, Our Strength).

The letters patent, too, are quite unique, having been presented in English, French, Inuktitut, and Inuinnaqtun.


Leg Building

Legislative Building in capital, Iqaluit

Inuit Town

Community of Pangnirtung, pop. 1,200

Winter


For more information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nunavut

 

 

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