Coat of Arms Building a Personal Coat of

Coat of Arms Building a Personal Coat of Arms

MULTICULTURALISM • 1971: Canada is the 1 st country in the world to adopt multiculturalism as an official government policy • Multiculturalism policy encourages Canada’s many cultural groups to preserve, enhance, and share their heritage

Canadian Trivia? Anyone know who Michaelle Jean is? Research Run … Find out and resport back 1 minute. . .

Michaëlle Jean Governor General of Canada • Born in Haiti • Her family fled Haiti in 1968 • Jean became the governor general of Canada in 2006 • Following her installation as Governor General, Jean was granted a personal coat of arms by the Canadian Heraldic Authority, depicting her Haitian roots.

Coat of Arms What is it anyway? • A coat of arms is a symbol of your identity and values. Originally coats of arms identified warriors dressed in armor, each knight chose symbols and colors to represent his family or clan. • Today however, most of us are not directly connected with these ancestors but we can create a coat of arms relevant to us today which reflects current and historic aspects of our identity.

Michaëlle Jean Coat of Arms • Her personal coat of arms includes words and symbols from Africa, Haiti, and Canada, the cultures that have helped shape her identity. • What do you think some of the symbols and words on her coat of arms mean?

Sand dollar- a special talisman for Michaëlle Jean. Sand dollars are marine creatures found on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of Canada and Northern United States. An annulus inscribed with the motto of the Order of Canada, DESIDERANTES MELIOREM PATRIAM (they desire a better country), encircles the shield, Royal Crown symbolizes the viceregal function and service to all Canadians. Sea shell & broken chain from the sculpture Marron inconnu by Mangonès, in Haiti, showing an escaped slave blowing a sea shell to gather and call to arms sufferers around Haiti. For Jean this image evokes the victory of her ancestors over barbarism and, the call to liberty. The motto Briser les solitudes, which means "Breaking down solitudes", is at the heart of the Rock set with a palm tree, a symbol of objectives Jean peace in Haitian history, and a pine tree intends to follow. representing the natural riches of Canada. Beside the shield are two Simbis, water spirits from Haitian culture who comfort souls, purify troubled waters and intervene with wisdom and foresight. The Simbis' words are enlightening and soothing. These two feminine figures symbolize the vital role of women in advancing social justice. Insignia of a Companion of the Order of Canada is suspended from the shield.

CREATE A PERSONAL COAT OF ARMS • What do you think a personal coat of arms should include? • Brainstorm as a class: • • Arms Supporters Compartment Motto