Grand Falls

Heraldry of the World Civic heraldry of Canada

GRAND FALLS

Province : New Brunswick

Official blazon:

Origin/meaning :
The waterfalls in the St. John river, from which the name of the city is derived, is shown in the center of the shield. The local Maliseet Indians called the falls the 'destroyer place'. This is symbolised by the indentations on the sides of the pile. These also symbolise the many sawmills which were once numerous around Grand Falls.

On the right side of the falls is a white potato plant, which symbolises the main industry in the town. The purple violets on the left side are the flower symbol of the State of New Brunswick.

The oar in the falls is a symbol for the Maliseet and Micmac Indians. The symbol is taken from an Indian legend, in which Malobeam led a group of her people over the falls, to escape from the Iroquois who followed her. This is further emphasised by her image as the left supporter.

The right supporter represents a soldier in the uniform of the 104th New Brunswick Regiment of Foot, which played a major role in the establishment of Grand Falls as a military post in 1791.

On the mural crown are symbols for the countries from which the early settlers originated : a fleur-de-lis for France, a thistle for Scotland, a shamrock for Ireland and a rose for England, with the Canadian maple leaf in the centre.

The motto means With one heart.

Literature : Information provided by the city of Grand Falls/Grand Sault, 1999.