Sanikiluaq (May 01/06) - Residents of Sanikiluaq say they can now look upon the community's flag and feel pride.

The hamlet commissioned the new symbol as part of the 30th anniversary of the hamlet on April 21.

There are two large blue bars on either side of the flag, and a large black circle in the middle. Inside the circle is an iglu with the sun poking over a hilltop. These details were the most difficult, according to Louisa Tookalook.

Tookalook would know; she spent a week with water colour paints making sure the flag would be ready for hamlet day. "I think it has nice colours. It took me a couple of days to colour. The small parts were the toughest," said Tookalook.

When asked if any more flag making was in her future, Tookalook laughed and said, "It was just a one shot deal."

Mayor Annie Amitook was thrilled with the result, and is proud to see it flying above the hamlet. "I think it is really nice. I'm telling everyone that I am really pleased," said Amitook.

This flag replaces the old hamlet flag, which was not a popular banner. The mayor is diplomatic about the old flag.

"We had one (a flag), but not everyone liked it. We needed another one," said Amitook.

Aside from the new flag flying high, Hamlet Day was jam-packed with action. The activities were well-attended and recreation director Deborah Thomas couldn't be happier with the turnout.

"We had a lot of volunteers, and that makes things run easier. I can't say enough about how people helped out this year," said Thomas.

There were games on the sea ice, including cod fishing, snowmobile racing and a carving contest. A mid-day feast on the land outside of town - including reindeer, seal, shrimp, hot dogs, turkey, char and bannock - had a uniquely Nunavut sight. People turned the snow into picnic tables to enjoy their food on. A temporary flagpole was set up, and the feast - one of the largest in years for the hamlet - was held under the brand new flag.