Nunavut (Inuktitut for "Our Homeland") is not represented among the stained glass windows in the House of Commons Chamber because the territory was created on April 1, 1999, almost thirty years after the windows were installed. Nunavut covers almost 2 million square kilometres of land and water in the central and eastern Arctic across 5 time zones. The capital is in Iqualuit. Here are pictures of the new territorial flag and coat of arms.

The north star and an inuksuk, the stone marker for special and sacred places which also guides Inuit traveling on their land, are represented on both. The blue and gold colours symbolize the riches of land, sea and sky. On the arms the north star is embraced by five discs representing the sun's annual circuit above and below the horizon in Nunavut. Beside the inuksuk is a qulliq, the Inuit stone lamp, representing the light and warmth of community home and family. The arms include symbols of the flora and fauna of land and sea. The motto is written in Inuktitut. It means "NUNAVUT OUR STRENGTH".

The creation of Nunavut has also been commemorated with a stamp and a new $2 coin issued by the government of Canada.

Back to Provinces and Territories Windows Album page.

LB