- 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.
Black Loyalist Heritage Society
Shelburne, Nova Scotia
Grant of Arms, Supporters, Flag and Badge
March 15, 2006
Vol. V, p. 17
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Sable between three Loyalist civil coronets a ship’s wheel with four spokes in saltire Argent;
Crest
A demi-lion Or gorged of a Loyalist military coronet and holding between its paws an anchor Sable;
Supporters
Two lions Or each gorged of a Loyalist civil coronet Gules, the leaves Vert, and standing on a rock set with mayflowers proper;
Motto
THE HEART OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE IS IN YOUR ROOTS;
Flag
A banner of the Arms;
Badge
A saltire Sable enfiling a Loyalist civil coronet Argent;
Symbolism
Arms
The appearance of the shield portrays directly the nature and purpose of the Black Loyalist Heritage Society. The shield’s background is black. Loyalist civil coronets allude to the vast majority of people fleeing on fleets of ships who were non-combatants. The ship’s wheel is taken from the emblem in use for some time, and represents the ship bringing the settlers to their new homes. On one hand, the wheel represents the past, alluding to the ships of the landing in 1783. On the other hand, it represents the present, alluding to the Society’s role of community development, with the various interests meeting together and steering towards a goal.
Crest
The lion and coronet represent the soldiers under the banner of the Crown whose actions allowed the people to settle in Nova Scotia. The anchor alludes to the sacrifice of the families that required them to raise anchor in their previous home and set down in their new home. The mantling shows ermine spots to represent apparent footprints symbolising the trek the settlers had to make.
Supporters
The lions, symbol of the pride of Africa, demonstrate courage, since the people needed that quality to face the hardships and to start a new life. The two coronets are shown red and green, which, together with black and gold, are the colours of Africa. Each coronet can represent new life emerging from sacrifice. The rock is the land area around Birchtown where the settlers landed in Nova Scotia, represented by the provincial flower, the mayflower.
Motto
This sentence speaks to the interest in their heritage displayed by the Black Loyalist Heritage Society members.
Flag
The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.
Badge
The Loyalist settlers, represented by the coronet, found a location at Birchtown, marked their spot, and now this location in Nova Scotia is memorialized by the saltire pattern.
Background
Canada Gazette Information
The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on July 8, 2006, in Volume 140, page 2040 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Original concept of Darrel Kennedy, Assiniboine Herald, assisted by the Heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority
Painter
Linda Nicholson
Calligrapher
Shirley Mangione
Recipient Information
Civil Institution
Cultural Organization