The mountains are representative of the key landscape features solidifying Nunatsiavut’s translation to “Our Beautiful Land”. representing its distinct captivating landscape. Nunatsiavummiut have settled on the land along the coast of Labrador, building cabins to fully immerse themselves in the distinct, captivating mountainous landscape. A prime example of this environment can also be found in Torngat Mountains National Park, which holds a special place to many Nunatsiavummiut and international visitors to the region.
The grasswork frame represents the art of grasswork, a traditional craft that slowly transforms natural shore grass around the community into practical and decorative items like baskets, bowls, placemats, coasters, ornaments, and keychains. The community of Rigolet is a hub for this traditional craft, as many elders in the community are still passing it onto the younger generations, while the craft is less common in other communities. This type of artwork encourages creativity, and some artists add colour to the grass by dyeing it with berry juice or using threads to embroider patterns into pieces. Grasswork also encourages a close connection to the land, by using foraged local grasses.
The fireweed (Chamaenerion angustifolium) is an abundant wildflower in Nunatsiavut, colouring the landscape in seas of violet and indigo.
This Nunatsiavut-style drum represents the traditional Inuit drumming practice. This artform often includes dance, and is performed for spiritual and entertainment purposes, building connections with Inuit history and tradition. In the past, this practice was performed by women in the community as an omen of positivity and protection for men on their long term hunting and fishing excursions.
The colours on the grasswork frame are the same as those used on the Labrador flag. Visiting Nunatsiavut, it is easy to understand why these colours were chosen as you see them reflected in the landscape - the white as the snow, an important part of culture and lifestyle, the blue as the water, and the green representing the land.
The boat represents much more than just a means of transportation, it connects Nunatsiavummiut across the land to gather wild food by foraging, fishing, and hunting during the open water season. It is also a symbol of the coastal research we are leading with the Sustainable Nunatsiavut Futures project, and the fieldwork we are lucky enough to conduct on the water.
The logo was designed with inspiration from five logo competition winners, one from each of the Nunatsiavut communities, and the symbols they used to illustrate their homes. Click through the artwork below to meet each of our winning artists and where they come from. Notice how different aspects from each art piece were incorporated into our project logo above by Inuk artist Jessica Winters.
Jessica Winters is an Inuk artist from Makkovik, Nunatsiavut. She grew up surrounded by art and craft, and was always encouraged to create by her family. Despite graduating with a degree in biology, she continued to develop her artistic practice, establishing herself as a painter and challenging herself to work with traditional mediums such as sealskin. In 2019, she had her first exhibition feature at La Guilde’s Nunatsiavut: Our Beautiful Land. In 2021, she received her first grant to produce a series of seal skin mosaic pieces, and was the first recipient of the Arts and Minds Canada Tilting Invitational Artist in Residency Award.
Dalhousie University operates in the unceded territories of the Mi’kmaw, Wolastoqey, and Peskotomuhkati Peoples. These sovereign nations hold inherent rights as the original peoples of these lands, and we each carry collective obligations under the Peace and Friendship Treaties. Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 recognizes and affirms Aboriginal and Treaty rights in Canada.
We acknowledge that the lands on which Memorial University’s campuses are situated are in the traditional territories of diverse Indigenous groups, and we acknowledge with respect the diverse histories and cultures of the Beothuk, Mi’kmaq, Innu, and Inuit of this province.
