- The Governor General of Canada
The contents of this Register are intended for research purposes only. The heraldic emblems found in the Register may not be reproduced in any form or in any media without the written consent of the Canadian Heraldic Authority and/or the recipient.
Outaouais Herald Emeritus, Canadian Heraldic Authority
Ottawa, Ontario
Grant of a Badge of Office
March 28, 2000
Vol. IV, p. 25
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Blazon
Badge
On a pomme three inescutcheons Argent the bases pointing inwards;
Symbolism
Badge
Green is the dominant colour because it perfectly evokes the Outaouais region, known for its many green spaces and its tremendous natural beauty. The three identical shields recall the history and geography associated with the name Outaouais. From a historical standpoint, they hark back to a tradition of the Outaouais, shared by the Ojibway and the Potawatomi, whereby these three groups formed a single tribe at one point. From a geographic standpoint, they refer to the Outaouais, the Rideau and the Gatineau Rivers which were the first routes used by explorers to access the territory. Furthermore, the three shields represent the three main divisions of time: past, present and future. The fact that the shields are identical conveys the idea that these divisions of time have equal importance in the life of an individual.