- 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.
Caribou Hotel
Carcross, Yukon
Grant of Arms, Supporters, Flag and Badge
January 15, 2026
Vol. VIII, p. 467
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Azure the silhouette of a woman affronty holding an antique lantern Argent, a chapé embowed Azure bezanté charged with two triangular flaps issuant from the chapé line Or;
Crest
A yellow-naped parrot proper perched on a birdcage Or;
Supporters
Two caribou that to the dexter supporting a shovel that to the sinister a pickaxe, both standing on a tundra set with two burlap sacks and strewn with fireweed, all in front of snowy mountains proper;
Motto
STRANGE THINGS DONE;
Flag
A banner of the Arms;
Badge
A yellow-naped parrot proper holding an antique lantern Or;
Symbolism
Arms
Blue is the traditional colour of the Caribou Hotel, while gold refers to the hotel’s creation during the Klondike Gold Rush. The discs represent the gold deposits found in the tributaries of the Klondike River. The design evokes the open flaps of a tent and, therefore, the hotel’s origins as a wholesale liquor outlet set in a canvas wall tent at the prospectors’ camp in Bennett, British Columbia. The ghostly figure alludes to Bessie Gideon, a former hotel owner who is reputed to haunt the establishment. The lantern represents the kerosene lamps that have welcomed guests for over 100 years.
Crest
The bird on its cage represents Polly the Parrot, an institution at the Caribou Hotel from 1918 to 1972.
Supporters
The caribou are a canting reference to the name of the hotel, as well as an allusion to the importance of the species in the history of the town, whose name Carcross is a short form of “Caribou Crossing.” The ground on which they stand symbolizes the terrain of the Chilkoot Trail, along which prospectors travelled to reach the Yukon. The shovel, pick and sacks of provisions represent the “ton of goods” that prospectors were required to carry in order to make the journey, including food and mining supplies. Fireweed is the territorial floral emblem for the Yukon and is commonly found in the area surrounding the hotel.
Motto
This line is from the poem The Cremation of Sam McGee written by Robert W. Service, known as the “Bard of Yukon.” It alludes to the experiences of the miners during the Klondike Gold Rush, when the hotel was first created, as well as to the hotel’s haunted reputation.
Flag
The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.
Badge
The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.
Background
Canada Gazette Information
The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on January 1, 1900, in Volume 0, page 0 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Original concept of Alix Chartrand, Saguenay Herald, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.
Painter
Debra MacGarvie
Calligrapher
Yolande Lessard
Recipient Information
Civil Institution
Profit Organization