Provinces and Territories · Drawing 38 of 42
An inuksuk shows the way
Nunavut
In Nunavut, Inuit build each inuksuk with stones chosen one by one. These markers help travellers find their way across the land.
Look together
What helps you find your way?
An idea to try
On a walk, look together for things that help you find your way: a big tree, a colourful house, a tower. Draw them afterwards.
For the adult reading along
A little more to discover
In Inuktitut, inuksuk (plural inuksuit) means “to act in the capacity of a human.” These stone structures can point the way, mark good places to fish or hunt, warn of danger or commemorate an event; some have spiritual meaning. Parks Canada notes that each stone is carefully chosen and that inuksuit are never knocked down. Stone figures with a head, arms and legs are a distinct form called inunnguaq, so this drawing avoids that shape.
The inuksuk on Nunavut’s flag symbolizes the stone monuments that guide people on the land and mark sacred and other special places. Ask your child which landmarks help them find their way, and explain that on the land, an inuksuk is never moved or taken apart.
Sources and illustration notes (4)
An inuksuk invented for this book, deliberately not human-shaped; it copies no real inuksuk.
These links lead to other websites. Explore them with an adult. References identify the institution and the related lesson; some linked pages are in French.
- Legislative Assembly of Nunavut — The Flag of NunavutThe inuksuk on the flag symbolizes stone monuments which guide people on the land and mark sacred and other special places.
- Parks Canada — This Week in History: Inuksuk on Baffin IslandPurposes of inuksuit (direction, spiritual presence, moving animals, commemoration, warning of danger); each rock carefully selected; inuksuit are never knocked down; human-shaped inunnguaq as a distinct type.
- CBC Kids — Do you know what an inukshuk is?Stacked stones are picked because they fit well together; in Inuit tradition it is forbidden to destroy an inukshuk; human-shaped figures are called inunnguaq.
- The Canadian Encyclopedia — Inuksuk (Inukshuk)Meaning in Inuktitut (“to act in the capacity of a human”); plural inuksuit; human-shaped figures are called inunnguaq.
Page prepared on September 24, 2026. Illustrations simplify places and scenes; they are not historical documents.
This drawing is from the book My Canada to Colour
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