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Québec, Quebec
Grant of Arms
June 15, 2012
Vol. VI, p. 145
Arms of Gilles HéonBlazonPer chevron Gules and Argent fretty Azure, in chief a compass rose between two bees Or; SymbolismThe colours of the shield – of red, yellow, white and blue – are those on the arms of Québec and Paris, cities about which Mr. Héon is passionate. They are also a nod to France, the country of his ancestors. The fretty pattern suggests the Pei Pyramid, the entrance to the Louvre Museum, thus referring to his interest in the arts and contemporary architecture. The compass rose symbolizes Mr. Héon’s early career as an archivist, when he was in charge of the maps and plan section of the National Archives of Quebec in 1969. It also recalls his Acadian ancestors who navigated the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The bees represent his appreciation of meticulous work and his affiliation with the Association des archivistes du Québec, which adopted the bee as its symbol in 1969 and of which he has been an emeritus member since 1995. |
CrestBlazonIssuant from a circlet of flax flowers proper a demi-doe Argent bearing on its shoulder a cross proper charged with a fleur-de-lis Or; SymbolismIn medieval iconography, the hind is associated with St. Giles, which is Mr. Héon’s first name (Gilles in French). The cross symbolizes his Catholic faith, while the fleur-de-lis conveys his attachment to Quebec. The flax flower is the symbol of Saint-Léonard-de-Portneuf, his secondary place of residence. |
MottoBlazonQUI OSE, GAGNE!; SymbolismMeaning “Who dares wins!”, the battle cry QUI OSE, GAGNE! recalls an expression often used by a French friend, and alludes to Mr. Héon’s efforts to overcome the difficulties he has had to face in his personal and professional lives. |
MottoBlazonTRACE LES CHEMINS DE LA MÉMOIRE; SymbolismMeaning “Lay the path for memory”, the motto TRACE LES CHEMINS DE LA MÉMOIRE refers to the care Mr. Héon gave his mother, who succumbed to Alzheimer’s disease, as well as to his efforts to raise public awareness about preserving personal and family archives. It is taken from a poem written in his honour to mark his 25 years with the National Archives of Quebec: “Le sang dans ses veines est comme chemin de mémoire” (“the blood in his veins is like a path for memory”), as well as the title of the book, Les chemins de la mémoire, published in 1999 and to which he greatly contributed. |
BackgroundCanada Gazette InformationThe announcement of the letters patent was made on November 3, 2012 in Volume 146, page 3053 of the Canada Gazette.   |
Additional InformationCreator(s)Original concept of Gilles Héon, Louise Martel and Manon Labelle, Miramichi Herald, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority. PainterLinda Nicholson CalligrapherShirley Mangione Recipient TypeIndividual |