Arms of Graydon Nicholas
Arms of Graydon Nicholas
Blazon
Azure semé of mullets of eight points Or;
Symbolism
The shield recalls the cloak of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a Catholic icon with special significance for His Honour and his family. Stars are symbols of spirituality, light, learning and high achievement. Here they represent the members of Their Honours’ family, as well as the seven sacred directions of the First Nations. The circular shield suggests a traditional drum and thus denotes His Honour’s Maliseet heritage.
Crest of Graydon Nicholas
Blazon
Cradled between two hands proper barry-wavy Azure and Argent issuant therefrom a lymphad Sable its sail Azure charged with a saltire couped Argent bearing an eagle’s feather and a calumet in saltire proper its pennon Purpure and flags Gules;
Symbolism
The ship supported by hands symbolizes for His Honour the power of God. As a ship on water also appears in the arms of New Brunswick, it also marks His Honour’s service to the province. The eagle feather and the calumet are important First Nations symbols, the feather symbolizing safety and good fortune, and the pipe friendship and peace. The X-shape on the sail refers to Their Honours’ alma mater, St. Francis Xavier University. The hands reflect a male-female balance, as well as the combined heritage of Their Honours. The sweetgrass in place of the wreath is a First Nations gift and sign of friendship.
Motto of Graydon Nicholas
Blazon
WOLISTOQ;
Symbolism
The Maliseet word for “The good river” (i.e., the Saint John River) evokes His Honour’s contributions to both the Aboriginal community and the broader community of New Brunswick.
Supporters of Graydon Nicholas
Blazon
Two black bears proper each collared Or suspended therefrom a bezant, that to the dexter charged with a Celtic cross, that to the sinister charged with a Latin cross of two twigs bound Gules, both standing on a turtle’s shell resting on a mount of earth set with purple violets, shamrocks, fiddleheads and fir branches proper;
Symbolism
The bears are notable animals in First Nations culture. The crosses refer to the importance of Their Honours’ Christian faith. The Celtic cross pays tribute to Her Honour’s Irish background, while the cross of twigs is an attribute of St. Kateri Tekakwitha, the first Indigenous woman in North America to be canonized a saint. The turtle shell reflects His Honour’s family, the Maliseet turtle clan, as well as the Maliseet conception of the world supported on a turtle’s back. The purple violet and balsam fir are the floral and tree emblems of New Brunswick, and the fiddlehead is an unofficial symbol of the province. The shamrocks pay tribute to Her Honour’s Irish ancestry.
