Nunavut: Learning at Home

Note to Teachers: The intent of this resource is to have students research the province or territory through the suggested activities below. Can be individual or group oriented. Links are provided for further information or support.

Learn the province
Research the background of the Nunavut flag. Form a committee to consider whether the current flag should be kept or changed. If the recommendation is to change it, what changes would you recommend and why? Remember, a flag is designed to reflect history and inclusivity of your territory.

  • What is unique about the Nunavut flag?
  • What is unique about this territory?
  • Is there a theme you see among provincial and territorial flags?
  • What is the origin of the word Nunavut?
  • What is the difference between a territory and a province?

Study some history
Dive deep into the history of Nunavut and the Innuit people. Identify some sites you’ll visit on a tour. Pick two or three locations or main events in the history of the territory and explain why they are important and or unique. Start by exploring these links:

Get creative
Organize your art supplies and get painting! Pick a location you’ll visit on your trip and compare your artwork to photos of the location when you return. Consider photographing or painting the Northern Lights (known as aqsamiit in Inuktitut), make your own inukshuk, or learn more about traditional Inuit art.

Pick a film
Watch a movie or TV show that was filmed in (or relates to) Nunavut. Some ideas include:

  • Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner (2001)
  • The Grizzlies (2018)
  • The Necessities of Life (2008)

Understand the culture
Identify notable residents of Nunavut, explore any cultural influences, and discover what foods the territory is known for. Then, identify challenges young people growing up in Nunavut face in both appreciating and learning their culture in a globalized and online world.

Some interesting links to help:

Examine the economy
Identify and research Nunavut’s top industries. If you were to move to Nunavut and work, which industry would you choose and why? Compare the Nunavut economy to where you live. What do you think the future looks like for the Nunavut economy?

Master the language
Identify and research the languages spoken in Nunavut. How important is language to a person’s identity? Why is language considered so important to the Innuit people in Nunavut? See if you can learn to say basic expressions in Inuktut! Start your research here:

Did you know?
Nunavut is home to some of the oldest rocks in the world ─ including a volcanic rock that is 4.5 billion years old!