- 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.
L'Association des Bourgeois d'Acadie Inc.
Westmorland, New Brunswick
Grant of Arms and Badge
March 10, 1998
Vol. III, p. 219
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Per fess Azure and Gules on a fess undy Argent a Maltese cross Sable, in chief the Star of Acadie Or within a Franciscan cord, in base a fleam Or;
Crest
On waves Azure crested Argent a ship Tenné with three sails Azure, Argent and Gules, the Azure sail bearing in the dexter canton the Star of Acadie Or;
Motto
ENSEMBLE VERS L'IDÉAL;
Badge
On a bezant with a Franciscan cord border Argent on a base of waves Azure crested Argent a ship Tenné with three sails Azure, Argent and Gules, the Azure sail bearing in the dexter canton the Star of Acadie Or;
Symbolism
Arms
The colours and star represent Acadia. The horizontal wavy band represents the sea, which linked France to New France. It also alludes to Beaubassin, which was founded by the first ancestor, Jacques Bourgeois. The Franciscan cord refers to the ship Saint François on which Jacques Bourgeois crossed the sea to settle at Port-Royal in 1641. The fleam identifies his profession of surgeon. The Maltese cross represents the Coutran Commandery of the Order of Malta at La Ferté-Gaucher. It is possible that Jacques Bourgeois received his surgeon training at the school of the Commandery.
Crest
The symbolism of the crest echoes that of the arms. In 1994 during the Acadian World Congress, the Association adopted a logo, which is repeated in the crest without the word Acadie and without the pennant at the end of the mast.
Motto
ENSEMBLE VERS L’IDÉAL means “Attaining the ideal together”.
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 30, 1999, in Volume 133, page 180 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Original concept of Robert Pichette, Dauphin Herald Extraordinary, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.
Painter
Linda Nicholson
Calligrapher
Suzzann Wright
Recipient Information
Civil Institution
Family Association