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Nunavut - Flag and Coat of Arms

Uploaded by Nathalie Kalina

Nunavut Flag and Coat of Arms

Grade level            

This lesson plan is designed to be used with students aged
12-15 years.

Objective           

Students will locate and label Nunavut on a map of Canada/North
America and will learn and research key facts. After learning and discussing
the symbolism of both the flag and the coat of arms, students will work in
pairs and create either a new flag or a new coat of arms for their school or
community. Students will write a description of their creation, explaining why
each item is included and supporting their decisions with facts about their
school or community.

Time required           

1-1/2 to 2 class periods (estimated)

Materials                       

Activity           

1       Ask students to
share what they know about the Arctic Circle. Explain that the Canadian Arctic
is the region covering the portion of Canada north of the Arctic Circle. Show
region on overhead map.

2       Explain that a
second definition of the Canadian Arctic is the region north of the tree line.
Ask students what they think that definition means? Explain that this portion
of Canada is farther north than trees can grow.

3       Ask students if
anyone has heard the term Nunavut. Explain that Nunavut, the Inuktitut word for
"our land," is a territory that spans two million square kilometers of Canada
(1,242,742 square miles), and was created April 1, 1999. Inuit represent
approximately 85% of the population.

4       Write "Inuit
Qaujimajatuqangit" on the board. Explain that IQ is the traditional knowledge
and wisdom of Inuit. "IQ is defined as
the Inuit way of doing things and the past, present and future knowledge,
experience and values of Inuit society."

~ Nunavut Social Development Council, 1999

      IQ shapes the
government, business and day-to-day life in Nunavut.

5       Give students
two-sided maps (one side: map of Canada, second side: map of Nunavut). Have
overhead copies of both maps. Guide students through tracing of Nunavut on map
of Canada.

6       Turn to map of
Nunavut. What is the capital of Nunavut? (Iqualuit: approximate population 6,000).

7       Have students
locate Igloolik. Remind students that Igloolik is the home of Isuma
Productions, the company responsible for Atanarjuat
The Fast Runner and The Journals of
Knud Rasmussen.

8       Explain that none
of Nunavut is accessible by road or rail, with the exception of one
government-maintained road, which runs 21 kilometers from Arctic Bay to
Nanisivik (point out on map). Everything, including people, supplies, and food,
arrives by plane or sealift. Ask students how they think this physical isolation
affects the cost of living? (high cost of living throughout territory) Why?

9       Pass out copies
of the flag of Nunavut and the coat of arms (also have overhead copies). Read
through the descriptions of their symbolism, taking time to locate the items mentioned
in the descriptions and to discuss their significance.

10       Break up students
into pairs or small groups. Explain that each pair is going to design a flag or
coat of arms for their school or community. Groups are to research the history
of their school or community and choose items of significance, using the
Nunavut flag and coat of arms as templates.

Evaluation           

Allow students time to conduct additional research and complete
their flags or coat of arms. Students must also write a description on the
symbolism of their creation, supporting their choices with facts about their
school or community.

Have students share and display their flags and coats of arms.

References           

Isuma Publishing - a division of Igloolik Isuma Productions: http://isuma.ca/buy

Kessler, Deirdre, Isuma
Teacher's Resource Guide, Montreal: Isuma Publishing, 2004

Robinson, Gillian, Isuma
Inuit Studies Reader, Montreal: Isuma Publishing, 2004