- The Governor General of Canada
The contents of this Register are intended for research purposes only. The heraldic emblems found in the Register may not be reproduced in any form or in any media without the written consent of the Canadian Heraldic Authority and/or the recipient.
Ann Meekitjuk Hanson
Iqaluit, Nunavut
Grant of Arms and Supporters
June 15, 2007
Vol. V, p. 146
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Blazon
Arms
Purpure a qulliq Argent enflamed Or;
Crest
Issuant from five purple saxifrage flowers, a rock ptarmigan wings elevated and addorsed proper;
Supporters
Dexter the figure of Sedna proper vested Or queued Argent, sinister a ring seal proper, both issuant from barry wavy Purpure and Argent flanking a mount of tundra proper;
Motto
CO-OPERATION ENHANCES PEACE (In English and in Inuktitut)
Symbolism
Arms
The qulliq, a seal oil lamp, is an important object of Inuit culture that appears in the coat of arms of Nunavut. It was traditionally kept by the women, and provided light, warmth, and a source of cooking and melting water. It is still used as a ceremonial item.
Crest
The rock ptarmigan is the official bird of Nunavut, and the purple saxifrage is the official floral emblem, a sign of spring and a source of food. The five flowers indicate Commissioner Hanson’s five daughters. The ptarmigan also alludes to the martlet crest used by Hansons in the United States, and therefore to Mr. Hanson’s family heritage.
Supporters
Sedna (Nuliajuq) is a famous creature from mythology around the circumpolar world, known as the sea ruler of the Arctic. The seal is important for Inuit life as a source of food, clothing, and oil. The tundra and stylized water represent the Arctic landscape and the importance of the ocean.
Motto
This indicates the importance that co-operation played in the survival of the Inuit in harsh natural conditions, a way of life that continues in the present-day approach to consensus government and administration.