Algonquin College announces new Coat of Arms

Posted on Tuesday, June 20th, 2017

OTTAWA — Algonquin College today unveiled its first-ever coat of arms, an honour from the Canadian Crown to mark the College’s 50th anniversary.

The coat of arms was carefully designed over a two-year period in consultation with the Canadian Heraldic Authority, part of the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General.

“This is a proud day for Algonquin College,” said President Cheryl Jensen. “Not only are we celebrating our spring convocation ceremonies, but with this coat of arms we are paying tribute to our past and signaling who we are going to be in the future.”

Algonquin applied to the Canadian Heraldic Authority in 2015 for a grant of a coat of arms, flags and a badge as a legacy project to mark the College’s 50th anniversary.

The striking design, in the College’s colours of green and white, features:
• A centre shield bearing a sprig of cedar and three lightning bolts. White cedar, a hardy tree native to northeastern North America, represents the richness of nature, resilience and longevity. The sprig of cedar is in the shape of a maple leaf to reinforce the College’s pride in Canada. The bolts symbolize the spark of inspiration as well as innovation and transformation.
• A crest with a thunderbird. This mythical creature, able to cause thunderstorms and lightning, acknowledges that the College was established on traditional Algonquin land. It represents the College’s quest to create and share knowledge. The roots refer to the roots of learning.
• Two wolf supporters symbolizing leadership.
• The words “Caring, Learning, Integrity, and Respect,” the College’s core values.
Under the leadership of Ron Deganadus McLester, Executive Director and Special Advisor to the President on Aboriginal Initiatives, consultations were held with the College’s Aboriginal Education Council, its Mamidosewin Centre (Indigenous student centre), as well as the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg and the Algonquins of Pikwàkanagàn First Nation to make sure that Indigenous symbols were incorporated appropriately.

“This coat of arms honours the College’s commitment to inclusivity and support of our Indigenous students,” said McLester. “While many of its symbols reflect Indigenous culture, their messages in many cases are truly universal.”

The creation process for the emblems was led by Samy Khalid, Saguenay Herald at the Canadian Herladic Authority.

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For more information:
Ruth Dunley
Manager, Communications
Algonquin College
Office: 613-727-4723 ext. 6452
Cell: 613-406-0970
dunleyr@algonquincollege.com

About Algonquin College:
www.algonquincollege.com

The mission of Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology is to transform hopes and dreams into lifelong success. Algonquin College, an Ontario public sector community college, does this by offering hands-on, digitally connected, experiential learning in more than 185 programs. Based in the Ottawa Valley, Algonquin College is the largest polytechnic institute in Eastern Ontario.


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