[2] The flag features a blue field, on which is a Canadian pale (a white stripe taking up half the width of the flag), with at the centre, the shield from the coat of arms of the Northwest Territories.

[2] Two blue panels represent the Northwest Territories' many rivers and lakes.

The white section, representing ice and snow, is equal in area to the 2 blue panels combined.

The white section of the Shield, with a wavy blue line dividing it, represents the Arctic Ocean and the Northwest Passage.

A diagonal line, representing the tree line, divides the lower portion into a green and red section with green symbolizing the trees and red symbolizing the tundra.