- The Governor General of Canada
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Michaëlle Jean
Ottawa, Ontario
Grant of Arms and Supporters, with differences to Marie-Éden Lafond
September 20, 2005
Vol. IV, p. 1
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Blazon
Arms
Sable a sand dollar ensigned by the Royal Crown Or;
Crest
A sea shell Or entoured by a chain its ends broken Sable;
Supporters
Two Simbis Or queued and crined Sable each sounding a sea shell Or and issuant from barry wavy Or and Sable set before a rocky mound proper growing thereon to the dexter a palm tree and to the sinister a pine tree Or;
Motto
BRISER LES SOLITUDES;
Symbolism
Arms
In the centre of the coat of arms is a sand dollar, which is a special talisman for Michaëlle Jean. Sand dollars are marine creatures found on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of Canada and Northern United States. The Royal Crown symbolizes the vice-regal function and service to all Canadians.
Crest
Above the shield, the sea shell and broken chain allude to the famous sculpture Marron inconnu by Albert Mangonès, displayed in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, depicting an escaped slave blowing a sea shell to gather and call to arms his fellow sufferers around the whole island. For Michaëlle Jean this image evokes the victory of her ancestors over barbarism and, more broadly, the call to liberty.
Supporters
Beside the shield are two Simbis, water spirits from Haitian culture who comfort souls, purify troubled waters and intervene with wisdom and foresight. Moreover, the Simbis' words are enlightening and soothing. These two feminine figures symbolize the vital role played by women in advancing social justice. They are shown in front of a rock set with a palm tree, a symbol of peace in Haitian history, and a pine tree representing the natural riches of Canada.
Motto
The motto "Briser les solitudes", which means "Breaking down solitudes", is at the heart of the objectives Michaëlle Jean intends to follow.