This was only the second time I remember ever seeing this species of wildflower, and the previous time, there was just one tiny, dead flower on the plant. Photographed (macro) on top of Plateau Mt., on the southern end of Kananaskis, on July 6th.

Tomorrow (9th July 2012) is Nunavut Day. Nunavut is the largest and newest federal territory of Canada; it was separated officially from the Northwest Territories on April 1, 1999. "As one of Nunavut's hardiest and most reliable plants, it is fitting that the purple saxifrage has been chosen as its Floral Emblem." I found information about the uses of Purple Saxifrage in northern cultures at the link below.

www.assembly.nu.ca/about-legislative-assembly/official-fl...

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saxifraga_oppositifolia

nature.ca/discover/treasures/plnts/tr2/sax_e.cfm