New NWT Mace Unveiled at Legislative Assembly

The 20-kilogram mace is turned upside down, and pebbles gathered from all 33 communities in the Northwest Territories fall lightly from top to bottom.

Carver Bill Nasogaluak says it's the only audible mace in the world, and it represents every community equally.

As Nasogaluak puts it: "It's the voice of the people of the North."

The metre-and-a-half-long mace took a year to make at a cost of $130,000.

Nasogaluak says every inch of the piece represents a different part of the north.

There is gold, quill work, bead work, carved marble tipis and ulus and even a diamond on the piece.

Fitting all the detail in, within the size and weight restrictions was tough for Nasogaluak.

"We've been slave to this project and it takes so much of your energy and time and focus. A big sigh of relief, that's in there in one piece. Actually, it feels really good. I can have my life back after a year."

The intricate design made it a challenging project for carver Dolphus Cadieux. He's used to working without any size restrictions.

"The challenge [is]of reducing, or working from, let's say, a five-foot marble sculpture, a monumental piece, to say, working with this."

Allison Simmie did all the silverwork on the mace, including the delicate snowflakes.

Seeing it in the legislative assembly for the first time, she smiles.

"This is a very spectacular building and it seems to be at home here."

The mace will be formally used for the first time on Monday, when MLA's gather to pick the next premier and cabinet.