Current ads
Jobs
Tenders
Notices
General

Click below

Nunavut flag provokes mixed reviews from residents

Nunavut's new flag. Some people hate it, some people like it.

MICHAELA RODRIGUE
Nunatsiaq News

IQALUIT— The unfurling of Nunavut's flag has spawned a controversy instead of the feelings of territorial pride it was meant to inspire.

The flap began when Nunavut's flag was first unveiled by Governor General Romeo Leblanc at the inaugural ceremony on April 1. Reaction from the crowd to the flag and coat-of-arms was decidedly low key.

More than two weeks later, the flag is now a sore point for some Nunavut residents who say it's not an appropriate symbol for the new territory.

In a letter to the editor of Nunatsiaq News to be published next week, Kugluktuk resident Damian Panayi asks Nunavut Premier Paul Okalik is it too late to change the flag?

"With all of the incredible artists and symbols that abound in this new territory, how did we end up with such a poor flag? I have yet to hear one positive comment on the flag," Panayi wrote.

When questioned by Nunatsiaq News other Nunavut residents expressed similar voiced similar distaste for the flag.

"I don't like it," said Jonah Evaloakjuk. "All that yellow and white doesn't represent the new territory. It's just an inuksuk and a star," Evaloakjuk said.

In fact many say they expected more symbols of Inuit life to be on the flag.

"It's too basic. I don't like it," said one Iqaluit resident who asked not to be named.

"And the colours. The star should have been yellow and the other part blue. It should have been an animal, not an inuksuk and the yellow doesn't look good at all."

The flag is divided vertically with one half white and one half a bright yellow. In the centre of the flag is a blood red inuksuk. In the top left hand corner sits a blue star on a white backdrop.

The design, along with that of the coat-of-arms, was the work of Pangnirtung artist Andrew Qappik with input from a symbols review committee. The design was developed after a contest attracted 500 flag design submissions.

Now some are suggesting one of those designs should have been selected.

But the current design hasn't sparked disapproval from all Nunavummiut, some children and other residents are happy with the flag and its colours.

"It's so different, it's nice," said Leah Shaw.

"I think it's a nice flag for Nunavut because the inuksuk means the likeness of a man. If you see an inuksuk, the land has good hunting and fishing," said Evie Kilabuk.

But with distaste for the flag noticeable throughout Nunavut, the flag's future may be in question.

The Nunavut Legislative Assembly passed the Flag of Nunavut Act on April 1.

That legislation recognizes the inuksuk flag as one of Nunavut's official symbols, said John Quirke, clerk of the legislative assembly. A change to a new design would need an amendment to that legislation, Quirke said.

"If it's a huge outcry we'd have to look at it very carefully," Quirke said. The legislation could be changed through a private members' bill or and amendment by the entire legislature, Quirke said.

Any MLA can start the process by tabling a petition, Quirke said.

If that happens, a new flag must receive technical approval from the office of the chief herald of Canada.

Advertising
Specs, rates,
& maps
Multi-paper
buying services
About the market
E-mail ad dept

More Information