Nunavut became a separate Canadian territory on 1 April 1999. The new flag reflects the Innuit traditions of the 80% of the population of the new territory who belong to the First Nations. The central figure is an inuksuk, or stone man, used by the Innuit as a marker in the landscape.

Nunavut - Territory Flag

The official symbolism is:

"The colours, blue and gold, are the ones preferred by the Nunavut Implementation Commissioners to symbolize the riches of the land, sea and sky. Red is a reference to Canada.

The inuksuk symbolizes the stone monuments which guide the people on the land and mark sacred and other special places.

The star is the Niqirtsuituq, the North Star and the traditional guide for navigation and more broadly, forever remains unchanged as the leadership of the elders in the community."

In a related move the Northwest Territories' government has announced that it is to have a new flag to mark the change in its borders. No more details are available at present.

Falkland Islands

Boats and ships registered in The Falkland Islands are entitled to carry a special defaced red ensign. This is stated in The Merchant Shipping (Falkland Islands Colours) Order 1998, which came into force on 25th January 1999. The Red Ensign is described as: "The Union Flag occupies the upper left quartile of the flag. The coat of arms is centred within the right hand half of the flag." The coat of arms was granted to the Falkland Islands on 29th September 1948 by Royal Warrant. It's shield shows on the upper half a sheep and on the lower half a depiction of the ship 'Desire'. Beneath the shield is the motto 'Desire The right' on a yellow ribbon. The arms are placed on a white disc.

The Falkland Islands Red Ensign was designed by the late director of The Flag Institute Dr. William Crampton in Spring 1996 and was put forward for approval in December 1998. The statutory instrument is to be found at: http://www.hmso.gov.uk/si/si1998/19983147.htm

Falkland Islands - Civil Ensign