History

Centennial Highlights

Coat of Arms

On November 6, 2008, Governor General Michaëlle Jean officially unveiled CNA’s new armorial bearings at a special event at Rideau Hall. CNA p resident Kaaren Neufeld, CNA staff and representatives from the Canadian Heraldic Authority were in attendance for the presentation

In her speech, Jean said, “Heraldry is rooted in a very basic human need: the need to say who we are, where we come from, and where we are going. The need to assert and express what makes us unique…. [L]et us hope that with each use, your new armorial bearings will grow ever more evocative, ensuring that they take their rightful place among the important symbols of nursing in Canada.”

The armorial bearings consist of a coat of arms, a badge and a flag. Acting CEO Jane Ellis described the symbolism of each element that makes up the bearings.

The coat of arms and flag
Arms: Above a lamp, the most widely recognized symbol of nursing since Florence Nightingale’s service in the Crimea, three triangles symbolize the founding communities of First Nations/Inuit, francophones and anglophones. Gold represents the generosity and long duration of the profession; red represents fortitude, strength, magnanimity and life.

Crest: The lion emphasizes CNA’s role as a defender of the profession and of the principles of the Canada Health Act. The scroll represents the Act itself and, more broadly, the association’s advocacy role.

Motto: The Latin motto, “Knowledge, wisdom, humanity,” reflects the enduring values and virtues of CNA and its members.

Supports: The white harts, whose grace and swiftness exemplify the nurse’s work, are also a pun, alluding to the emblematic white heart of the International Council of Nurses. Positioned on either side of the shield, the harts reflect the support of nurses for CNA. Their black antlers are a reference to the bands on nurses’ caps. The diamonds on their collars symbolize the five domains of nursing, while the wavy band suggests the sashes worn by First Nations people. The medallion, new to Canadian heraldry, refers to incorporated bodies whose Patron is Her Majesty The Queen. The compartment of maple leaves – one for each province and territory – symbolizes the communities served by nurses across Canada and represents new life, new beginnings and new knowledge for patients and nurses.

The badge
The badge uses the national colours of red and white. The three flames indicate the tripartite character of nursing: the union of mind (knowledge), heart (compassion and caring) and hands (physical skill in work and touch).

The Coat of Arms Sculpture
The coat of arms sculpture hangs on the wall of CNA House as a reminder to the Board of Directors, staff members and guests of the nation’s recognition of the outstanding contributions of nurses throughout Canada’s history.

It symbolizes Canada’s support for nurses from coast to coast, in clinical, educational, administrative, research and policy roles.

It also symbolizes the nation’s faith that the nurses of tomorrow will continue to exemplify excellence in health care, help in shaping the evolution of our health system and improve health outcomes around the globe.

Updated: July 25, 2011