- 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.
Peter Irniq
Iqaluit, Nunavut
Grant of Arms and Supporters
July 16, 2001
Vol. IV, p. 133
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Azure an inuksuk, in dexter chief an Inuit drum and beater in saltire Or;
Crest
A demi Inuit man holding a drum and beater proper;
Supporters
Dexter a muskox standing on a snow bank, sinister a ringed seal proper issuant from barry wavy Azure and Argent;
Motto
(in Inuinnaqtun and Inuktitut)
Symbolism
Arms
The shield is circular. It is blue and on it is an inukshuk in gold. In the upper left corner is an Inuit drum with the beater laid across the drum handle, both in gold. The circular shield is an important shape culturally, indicating, among other things, the circle of life and the head of a drum. The central stone of the inukshuk is a long horizontal, which refers to moving forward or the way ahead. The drum indicates that drumming is associated with joy and happiness.
Crest
The upper part of an Inuit man drumming. Instead of the traditional steel helmet of European-style heraldry, the base of the crest is a man’s parka hood. The crest refers to His Honour’s own spirit and an important part of Inuit culture, while repeating the theme of joy and happiness.
Supporters
On the left side of the shield is a musk ox and on the right is a ringed seal, both in their natural colours. Beneath the musk ox is snow, and beneath the seal is water, stylized heraldically as blue and white wavy horizontal bars. The animals were chosen by His Honour as representative of land and sea creatures from Nunavut.
Motto
The phrase, meaning “Let us move forward”, is stated in Inuinnaqtun and Inuktitut.
Background
Canada Gazette Information
The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on February 22, 2003, in Volume 137, page 517 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Original concept of Robert D. Watt, Chief Herald of Canada, assisted by the Heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority
Painter
Linda Nicholson
Calligrapher
Suzzann Wright
Recipient Information
Individual
Territorial Commissioner