Nunavut

Nunavut is the most recent of all Canadian provinces. Being hived out of the Northwest Territories back in 1999. Nunavut has supported an indigenous population for at least 4000 years. However, it was Martin Frobisher from England who started the first written records of Nunavut. 

Nunavut was not home to any important minerals, though many thought they had found gold. However, many explorers continued to explore the territory in search of the elusive "North west passage." This passage would allow far shorter trips from Europe to Asia. This was of course, in the time before the Suez and Panama canals. To travel to Asia, sailors faced long trips round the south of Africa, or round the treacherous seas round southern America.

In 1982, the Inuit where granted a plebiscite on division in order to settle long standing claims from the Inuit. The vote, not surprisingly, went in favour. And discussions began on separating Nunavut from the Northwest Territories. This process took a long time, with the first agreement agreed in 1992, and ratified in 1993. Following various Acts being passed by Parliament, separation finally occurred in 1999.

For Nunavut, they had to bring in new icons for the territory. This meant a new coat of arms, and a new flag. 

The coat of arms was granted on March 31, 1999. Just 1 day before Nunavut formally came into being. The same day as the flag. The coat of arms was designed with a great deal of discussion with elders from the Inuit in order to get this right.

The shield itself is a roundel, rather than an escutcheon shape which is much more common in European heraldry. The shield is divided into blue and gold,representing the sky, and the riches of the land. In the sky is a representation of the midnight sun, with several roundels tracing a path through the sky. Also featured is a representation of the North Star.

On the gold is a qulliq, which is a stone lamp. This represents the warmth of the community. Also, there is an inukshuk. This serves as a guidepost, and as a symbol of a tribes territory.

The crest is an igloo. This represents traditional life, survival, and the government of Nunavut. It is topped with a crown, this represents Royal sovereignty. 

The supporters are a narwal, and caribou. These represent sustenance, and the natural resources of the land and the sea. They stand on a compartment made of Arctic poppies, dwarf fireweed, Arctic heather, next to an iceberg at sea.

Following a great deal of input from local communities, and tribal elders, the flag took elements again, that are important to the Inuit. After a great deal of consultation, and competition, the final design came out in time for the official birth of the new territory.

The new flag also features an inukshuk. This is placed in the centre of the flag, stretching from top to bottom. This is different to the crest, in that it is red. And edged in black. 

The flag itself is divided by the inukshuk. Gold on the hoist side, and white on the fly. In the upper right is a blue star. The gold and blue represent the land, sea, and sky, whilst the red of the inukshuk represents Canada. 

The star represents the North Star, or "Niqirtsituk." An important navigational marker used by the Inuit for thousands of years. also it is there to represent the wisdom and leadership of community elders.

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia is Latin for "New Scotland," and is the recognized name of the second smallest, but second most populous province in Canada. The first Europeans where French, and established the first European colony north of Florida back in the early 1600's. 

Nova Scotia became a strong bone of contention between Britain and France, and 6 wars where fought between Britain and France from the 1680's up to when Britain finally took control with the Treaty of Utrecht which saw France effectively cede control of all its lands in Canada. 

Nova Scotia was at the pointy end of many more conflicts, when during the War of 1812, Nova Scotian communities either built or purchased ships to fight in the conflict. One of the highlights was when HMS Shannon escorted the USS Chesapeake into Halifax harbour.

In 1848, Nova Scotia became the first of the Canadian territories to achieve self governance, and in 1867, along with the Province of Canada, and New Brunswick formed the new Canadian Confederation. The predecessor to what has now become the new Canada.

Nova Scotia itself is "New Scotland" in honour of the fact that the largest ethnic group identifies as Scottish heritage. Followed close by English...

Nova Scotia's coat of arms was granted by King Charles I in 1625, and is the oldest Coat of Arms granted outside Great Britain. And was granted for the first Scottish colony in Canada.

The crest consists of 2 hands, clasped. One in a gauntlet, the other, naked. The gauntlet is holding a Scottish thistle, and the naked hand is holding a laurel for peace.

The shield itself is a blue saltire on white. A simple reversal of the Scottish flag. In the centre is a second shield. This is the Royal arms of Scotland. A red rampant lion on gold. 

The compartment features thistles. Again, linking back to Scotland. As well as the Mayflower, the official flower of Nova Scotia itself.  The supporters themselves are a unicorn, taken from the arms of Scotland, and a member of the Mi'kmaq. The people who are indigenous to Nova Scotia.

The current flag of Nova Scotia was instituted in 1858, only to be superseded by a red ensign design 10 years later. This carried a shield which was in use in Nova Scotia from 1867, to 1929, when the original banner and coat of arms where formally brought back.

The shield was a gold colour, with 3 thistles. 2 up top, 1 under. A blue wavy line representing water cut across the middle, with a salmon representing an abundance of fish placed in its centre. 

However, in 1929, the old arms and old flag where restored to prominence. The flag itself was created in 1858, and reverses the colours of the Scottish flag, making for a white flag, with a blue saltire. In the centre, they added the shield from the traditional arms of Scotland. A red lion rampant on a gold shield, edged with red fleur di lys.

the shield is not traditionally carried on the Scottish blue saltire. However, it was added to the Nova Scotian flag because the Russian Imperial Navy at the time used a simple blue saltire on white as its Naval ensign.

Today, the flag is highly thought of. Ranking as it does, 12th the American Vexillological Associations survey of North American state and provincial flags!

Northwest Territories

The Northwest Territories are located in the north of Canada. The territory is 440,000 sq miles, but has a population of nearly 42,000. A massive area, with a limited population. 

Originally, the territory fell under the control of the Hudson Bay Company, and so, used its corporate flag. A Red Ensign with the company's initials in white, place on the fly. With the letters H and B interlocked. 

However, the territory itself came into being when the sum total of the Hudson Bay Company's claims where transferred to the Canadian government. The Northwestern Territories at the time covered about a third of the current landmass of Canada.

However, the massive size was slowly whittled away as various new provinces and states where formed from its mass. By 1912, this butchery had finished. And in 1925, on the sector principle, the borders of the Northwest Territories where extended as far north into the arctic as Canada stretched. 

The final change came in 1999, when the eastern half was split away to form the new Province of Nunavut.

In terms of flags, the fist flag to represent the territory was the Hudson's Bay Company. However, in 1959, the territory introduced a new flag. Keeping the ensign, but this time, switching to the blue ensign. And, on the fly, a white disc bearing the Territory's shield.

The Territory's coat of arms was granted in 1957. It shares 1 thing in common with the coat of arms of the Yukon, and Ontario. All of them do not feature any kind of Royal symbol. 

On the coat of arms, the crest consists of 2 Narwals guarding a Compass Rose, representing the magnetic north pole. The top third of the shield is white, representing the polar ice pack, crossed by a blue wavy line. This represents the northwest passage. 

The rest of the shield is split by a diagonal line. This symbolises the tree line. Underneath is green, representing  the forests, and the red represents the tundra. On the green, the gold billets represents the mineral wealth (gold), and the mask of a white fox on the red represents the other important element of trade, fur. 

In 1969, following a nationwide competition, a new flag was selected. It did away with the old Blue ensign, and replaced it with a new tricolor flag. Similar to the Canadian flag. Except in blue and white. 

The central white stripe represents the snow and ice, and is half the width of the flag. The supporting blue stripes represent the abundant waters of the Northwest Territories. The shield from the coat of arms is placed in the centre of the flag. 

Republic of South Sudan

The Republic of South Sudan came into existence on the 9th of July, 2011. Making it the newest nation in the world. South Sudan consists of the southern territories of Sudan. Populated by sub-Saharan Africans, who follow various Animist and the Christian religions. However, the rest of Sudan is Arab Muslim, with the capital based in Khartoum.

Tensions rose given the Khartoum governments push for Islamic law. This then led to First Sudanese Civil War. Following the ending of the Civil War, the Southern Sudan Autonomous Region was formed in 1972. This lasted until 1983, when it collapsed, and the Second Civil War began. 

This was largely fought between the Sudanese army, and the SPLA (Sudan People's Liberation Army) as well as several smaller groups. However, this ended with a comprehensive agreement in 2005. Part of this agreement was the re-starting of the autonomous region, as well as provisions for a referendum in 2011 on whether the South should continue as part of Sudan, or break free.

Right now, the government is dominated with former SPLA members, and the majority of the South Sudan Army consists of former SPLA members. This dominance continues through into the visible signs of the new South Sudan.

The flag was previously used by the SPLA.

The flag bears a remarkable similarity to the flag of Kenya. It consists of three horizontal stripes of black, red, and green. Each stripe is separated by a thin white band. 

The black represents the people of South Sudan, the red represents the blood spilled in the pursuit of freedom, and the green represents the land. 

What makes the flag different to Kenya's is that it features a blue triangle placed at the hoist. On the triangle is a gold star. The blue represents the Nile, and the star represents the unity of the states that make up the new Republic of south Sudan.

The Coat of Arms of the new Republic where approved in June 2011, and formally adopted on independence. 

It consists of an African Fish Eagle, with a scroll held in its claws bearing the name of the state. The Eagle represents strength, resilience, and vision. Placed over the Eagle is a shield and two crossed spears. This represent the protection of the State.

For the fledgling state, there is still plenty of tension with their neighbour to the north, with border issues still to be resolved. However, given the potential oil wealth in South Sudan, here is hoping that the future is bright!

Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland and Labrador is Canada's easternmost province, and consists of the island of Labrador and Newfoundland, which is a triangular shaped territory on the Canadian mainland. The first record of European settlement was with the Vikings, around the year 1001. 3 settlements where founded, but later abandoned.

The next round of explorers where led by John Cabot, in 1497. However, the Portuguese claimed territorial rights through the treaty of Tordesillas. Joao Fernandes Lavrador led expeditions in 1499 and 1500. By exploring the north Atlantic coast, this gave rise to the name "Labrador" on the maps. In 1501 and 1502, the Corte-Real brothers claimed the territories of what is now Newfoundland, and Labrador for Portugal. The Portuguese then set about establishing fishing outposts. However, these where abandoned later in the 1520's in favour of southern America.

Sir Humphrey Gilbert, carrying letters of Patent from Queen Elizabeth I in 1583 landed on the island of St Johns and claimed it for England. From 1610, Newfoundland began to see North America's first English colonies. Fishing grew in importance to such an extent that the area also saw some settlement from Basques, ans well as French fishermen.

The Treaty of Utrecht finally saw Britain gain total control over Newfoundland, and the island of Labrador. Though given its rich fishing grounds, the French and Spanish continued to press claims. But to no avail.

In 1854, Newfoundland gained its first territorial government, and in 1869, with its general election, rejected joining the new Canadian Federation. A second attempt nearly succeeded in 1892.

Newfoundland remained outside the Canadian Federation as a separate colony until 1907, when it gained Dominion status. Dominion status gave Newfoundland self-governing status within the British Empire. In other words, they looked after their own domestic affairs. With this came their first flag. The Dominion flag was the British red ensign featuring the crest of Newfoundland.

Dominion did not, however, last too long. By 1933, with unsustainable debts, the legislature voted itself out of existence. This led to a Commission being installed to run the territory, with officers directly appointed by the British government. 

After 15 years, with prosperity returning, agitation began to take place to scrap the Commission. However, with a population of only 317,000 people, the territory was deemed too small to be independent. So, a Convention was set up to discus the possibilities.

Eventually, in 1948 a referendum was held. It asked the people to choose from 3 options. Option 1, was to keep the Commission. Option 2 was to become an independent dominion again, and option 3 was to seek union with Canada. 

No option gained an outright majority. Therefore, a second referendum was held, this time, with the top 2 choices. This time, the majority voted for union with Canada. So, the negotiations began, and finally, in 1949, Newfoundland became part of Canada.

In 2001, under growing pressure to recognise the island, the province of Newfoundland amended its constitution to change its name to Newfoundland and Labrador. Labrador has seen a growth in the popularity of the idea of separating from Newfoundland totally, to become its own province. 

Newfoundland has a well-used unofficial flag, a green, white and pink tricolor. The green standing for the Catholics, and the Pink taken from a Native society.

Newfoundland's official flag was introduced in 1980, and was designed by local artist, Christopher Pratt. The flag features a design that looks similar to the British Union flag. However, its use of triangle forms features far more symbolism. 

The blue triangles on the left represent the Union Jack, and the territory's historic links to Britain. The blue itself represents the sea. The white represents snow and ice. The red represents the struggle made by Newfoundlanders, and the gold represents hope for the future.

The red triangle shapes represent the territories of Labrador, and Newfoundland proper. The gold form represents an arrow pointing to the future. However, when the flag is hung vertically, it represents a sword. Honouring those from Newfoundland who gave the ultimate sacrifice during wartime. 

Also, the red triangles and gold point represent a trident. This also symbolises the provinces dependence on the sea and its fisheries.

New Brunswick

New Brunswick is one of Canada's maritime provinces, on the Atlantic coast. It is also Canada's only constitutionally bilingual province. The majority of the population are Anglophone, however, the province does feature a very large Francophone minority, at 33%.

The French where the first to settle in the area, in the mid 1500's, and over the next 150, settlers slowly moved into the area, and began to build lives across the whole area. The French designated the whole colony from what is now Nova Scotia to New Brunswick and beyond as Acadia.

The 1713 Treaty of Utrecht saw France ceding the peninsula area of what is now Nova Scotia to Britain, leaving the rump Acadia under-populated, and poorly defended. France finally lost control over the whole of Acadia by the end of 1764, with the end of the French and Indian war.

Following the 7 Year War, the territory that is now New Brunswick was absorbed into Nova Scotia. However, following the Revolutionary War, many loyalists fled the fledgling USA, and moved into Nova Scotia. These new arrivals felt like they deserved preferential treatment given their sacrifices for the Empire. This, not surprisingly, upset a lot of the established settlers, and ended up with Nova Scotia being partitioned, and New Brunswick being born.

With the American Civil War raging, and growing Fenian activities along the border, it prompted New Brunswick to be one of the first four provinces to unite, and form the Canadian Confederation in 1867.

The Provinces coat of arms was instituted 1 year later, in 1868. The crest features a leaping Atlantic Salmon, topped with the crown of St Edwards Crown, and sits atop a golden crown of maple leaves.

The shield features a lion passant, taken from the arms of England (which has 3) and the arms of Brunswick (which has 2). Underneath is an ancient representation of a Spanish galleon, which represents the provinces major industry at the time of formation, shipbuilding. 

The supporters are white-tailed deer. Both bear badges. One is the Union Jack, and the other is the fleur de lis. These represent the colonization of the area by Britain and France. 

Initially, the province did not have an official flag, but the arms where used on flags used by the premier of the province, and other officials. The shield was placed on a blue ensign, like many others in use in Canada. At first, the shield was slightly smaller, and sailing in the opposite direction to the way it is today. Later, the shield was revised, and the flag was essentially in use up until the introduction of the provinces official flag.

The flag of New Brunswick takes the main shield of the coat of arms, and stretches it out to form a flag for the Province. The flag itself was adopted finally in 1965.