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.
Edmundston, New Brunswick
Grant of Arms and Supporters
July 15, 2011
Vol. VI, p. 57
Arms of EdmundstonBlazonPer fess sapiné Or and Vert, in chief on a fess wavy Azure two lightning bolts in saltire surmounted by a mullet, in base a unicorn’s head Or; SymbolismThe green colour and the dividing line shaped like fir trees represent both agriculture and forestry, the economic pillars of Madawaska County, of which Edmundston is the county seat and the largest city. Green was also the dominant colour of the former arms of Edmundston. The wavy stripe symbolizes the two primary watercourses that meet in Edmundston, the Saint John River and the Madawaska River. The star and two lightning bolts, symbols of hydroelectric power, appeared in the crest of Edmundston’s former arms. The city of Edmundston is the only city in New Brunswick to generate hydroelectricity. The star symbolizes hope; it is the Stella Maris, the Star of the Sea, the chief symbol of Acadia, adopted in 1884. The unicorn’s head is taken from the arms of Sir Edmund Walker Head (1805–1868), Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick (1848–1854), who in 1851 gave his name to the small village of P’tit Sault, at the request of the residents. The unicorn’s head was also one of the key elements of the former municipal arms. |
CrestBlazonThe P’tit Sault Blockhouse set on a rock proper; SymbolismThe P’tit Sault Blockhouse was built in 1841 on a promontory overlooking the junction of the Saint John and Madawaska rivers at the height of the Arrostook War between the United States and Great Britain. It was part of a line of defence stretching from Saint John to Rivière-du-Loup, Quebec. Destroyed by a lightning strike in 1855, it was accurately reconstructed in 2000, thanks to the generosity of the community, and in a sense it crowns the city. |
MottoBlazonIN FRATERNITATE UNITAS; SymbolismMeaning “Unity in brotherhood,” this Latin motto was that of the former municipality of Saint-Jacques, which amalgamated with Edmundston in 1998. The motto reflects Edmundston’s new civic reality. |
SupportersBlazonTwo porcupines standing on a grassy mount set with purple violets, pinecones and buckwheat seeds proper; SymbolismThe porcupines allude to the Maliseet name of Madawaska County, meaning “land of porcupines.” There is also a porcupine in the former municipal arms of Edmundston, Verret and Saint-Basile, which today form the city of Edmundston. The buckwheat seeds suggest a regional culinary specialty, “ployes” or buckwheat pancakes. These seeds were widely cultivated in the Edmundston area. A buckwheat flower also appeared on the Saint-Basile arms. The purple violet, New Brunswick’s provincial flower, is taken from the Saint-Jacques and Verret arms. The pinecone was also in the Verret arms and in the former arms of Edmundston. It also alludes to the neighbouring state of Maine in the United States called “The Pine Tree State”, which shares a border with Madawaska County. It emphasizes the cordial relations between the regions. |
BackgroundCanada Gazette InformationThe announcement of the letters patent was made on November 12, 2011 in Volume 145, page 3516 of the Canada Gazette.   |
Additional InformationCreator(s)Original concept of Robert Pichette, Dauphin Herald Extraordinary, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority. PainterLinda Nicholson CalligrapherDoris Wionzek Recipient TypeCivil Institution
|