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Whitehorse, Yukon
Grant of Arms and Supporters, with differences to Sébastien William Comchi and Samuel Nicholas Comchi
May 15, 2019
Vol. VII, p. 187
Arms of Rose Marie Angélique BernardBlazonPurpure three fountain pens palewise, their nibs in base, in chief and in base, entravaillé within five barrulets Or; SymbolismLike scrolls of parchment, the two sets of horizontal stripes and the quills represent Commissioner Bernard’s profession as a translator. Together, they also recall her contribution to the community in the fields of arts, theatre and Franco-Yukon associations. Purple, a colour associated with royalty, represents the community of the Commissioners and Lieutenant-Governors. The gold symbolizes the precious metal discovered in the Yukon. |
CrestBlazonA raven proper, its dexter claw resting on a sextant Or and perched on a soccer ball issuant from a circlet of blue flags and crocuses proper; SymbolismThe raven is the official bird of Yukon, and for Commissioner Bernard it is also a symbol of gratitude. The sextant pays tribute to her immigrant ancestors who came from France, Ireland and Italy. The blue flag is the floral emblem of Quebec, the province of her birth, and the crocus is a plant common to Ukraine and Poland where, respectively, the paternal and maternal families of her husband David Comchi originated. The soccer ball represents her active family life. |
MottoBlazonS’OUVRIR À TOUTES LES POSSIBILITÉS; SymbolismThis French phrase means “Be open to all possibilities” and expresses the ideas of openness of mind and curiosity, which have always inspired Commissioner Bernard. |
SupportersBlazonDexter a black bear proper charged on the shoulder with a plate bearing a wolf’s head contourné Sable, sinister a grizzly bear proper charged on the shoulder with a plate bearing a raven’s head, the Supporters standing on a snowy base set with fireweed proper; SymbolismThe bears allude to Commissioner Bernard’s surname, derived from Germanic words meaning “strong bear.” They also represent the wildlife of Yukon, her adoptive home. The wolf’s head and the raven’s head represent the two First Nation clans of Yukon and indicate Commissioner Bernard’s admiration and respect for the First Nations of Yukon. The snowy base and the fireweed flowers represent Yukon. |
Differenced Arms for Sébastien William Comchi, child of Rose Marie Angélique BernardBlazonThe Arms of Rose Marie Angélique Bernard with Azure instead of Purpure; This individual will inherit the Arms of the Recipient following her death; SymbolismThe symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record. |
Differenced Arms for Samuel Nicholas Comchi, child of Rose Marie Angélique BernardBlazonThe Arms of Rose Marie Angélique Bernard Vert instead of Purpure; SymbolismThe symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record. |
BackgroundCanada Gazette InformationThe announcement of the letters patent was made on December 7, 2019 in Volume 153, page 4268 of the Canada Gazette.    |
Additional InformationCreator(s)Original concept of Samy Khalid, Saguenay Herald, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority. PainterDebra MacGarvie CalligrapherDoris Wionzek Recipient TypeIndividual Special DesignationTerritorial Commissioner |