The coat of arms of the territory of Nunavut, Canada, known officially as The Arms of Her Majesty in Right of Nunavut, was granted by a warrant by Roméo LeBlanc, Governor-General of Canada, dated March 31, 1999, one day before the territory of Nunavut, Canada was created. The same document specified the flag of Nunavut.

The coat is unique, having been 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, Nunavut. 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 more usual escutcheon shape, 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 qulliq, a stone lamp representing the warmth of home and community, and an inukshuk, a stone monument serving as a guidepost and a symbol of the territory.

The crest, an igloo, 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, Nunavut our strength, or Our land, our strength).

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

Heraldic Blazon

Here is the heraldic blazon of the coat of arms of Nunavut:

On a circular shield: Or dexter a qulliq Sable enflamed Gules sinister an inuksuk Azure on a chief also Azure above five bezants in arc reversed issuant from the lower chief a mullet (Niqirtsuituq) Or;

And for a Crest: On a wreath Argent and Azure an iglu affronty Argent windowed Or and ensigned by the Royal Crown proper;

and for a Motto: ᓄᓇᕗᑦ ᓴᙱᓂᕗᑦ, meaning "Nunavut Our Strength";

and for Supporters: On a compartment dexter of Land set with Arctic poppies, dwarf fireweed and Arctic heather proper sinister ice floes Argent set on barry wavy Azure and Argent dexter a caribou sinister a narwhal both proper.

Other Canadian coats of arms

Canada - Alberta - British Columbia - Manitoba - New Brunswick - Newfoundland and Labrador - Northwest Territories - Nova Scotia - Ontario - Quebec - Prince Edward Island - Saskatchewan - Yukon

See also

• List of Canadian provincial and territorial symbols
• Heraldry

External links

• About the Flag and Coat of Arms (Government of Nunavut)
• Creation of the Coat of Arms and Flag of Nunavut (Governor-General of Canada)