Lest We Forget

Today, on November 11, we celebrate Remembrance Day. As a nation, Canadians proudly pin a red poppy to their chest as a symbol of remembrance. Here in Nunavut, that symbol has been northernized: it is made out of seal skin.

In Iqaluit, artists have sold similar looking seal skin flowers for a while now, usually in the form of a brooch, hair clip, or head band.

I suppose that at some point, an innovative Inuk (and unexpected entrepreneur) must have thought that a logical next step would be to make Remembrance Day poppies out of seal skin as well.

The seal skin poppies come in various forms – some more authentic looking than others – and have proven to be very popular amongst Iqalummiut. However, they have received mixed reviews. On one hand, it is exciting that northerners have localized the iconic symbol. On the other hand, there is concern over possible lost revenue for the veterans.

I tend to side with the former than the later, for a couple of reasons.

Anecdotally, some artists have made an effort to generously donate some of their profits.

Personally, purchasing a seal skin poppy did not stop me from donating for a plastic poppy, too. In fact, I donated three times this year! (I’ll never figure out those pins…)

No matter what type of poppy you wear, the important message is to remember those who serve our country and be grateful for the freedom we have today.

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• # artwork
• # handicrafts
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• # iqaluit
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