- The Governor General of Canada
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The Walrus Foundation
Toronto, Ontario
Grant of Arms, Supporters, Flag and Badge
June 15, 2017
Vol. VI, p. 729
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Blazon
Arms
Per fess Gules and Argent, in chief a walrus’s head affronty Or armed Argent, in base two bars dancetty Sable;
Crest
A mullet of four points gyronny Argent and Sable before two trumpets in saltire Or;
Supporters
Two walruses guardant Or winged Sable armed Argent standing on bed of maple leaves Gules;
Motto
FEARLESS • WITTY • THOUGHTFUL;
Symbolism
Arms
The walrus head and the pattern forming the letter “W” allude to the foundation’s name. The pattern, symbolic of radio waves, also indicates electronic communications, part of the foundation’s mandate. Black and white are the colours of print, and thus refer to The Walrus magazine.
Crest
The star represents the North Star and thus the Canadian north, with which the foundation takes a particular interest. The trumpets refer to the idea of proclaiming and communication.
Supporters
The walruses further the reference to the name of the foundation. The addition of the wings alludes to creativity conveying the concept of ideas taking flight; their black feathers refer to the status of the raven as a creator figure in First Nations cultures. The maple leaves allude to the Canada-wide mandate of the foundation.
Motto
With the additional word “Canadian”, this has been in use as a motto for the foundation for several years.