Coat of arms

The Douglas College coat of arms was unveiled on January 21, 2020, as part of the College’s 50th anniversary celebrations. It was designed by Carrielynn Victor, a Coast Salish artist who resides on the Cheam First Nation near Chilliwack, British Columbia. The unveiling marked the first time in Canada’s history that the complete artwork of a coat of arms was rendered by an Indigenous artist.

The coat of arms includes four components: the arms, crest, motto and supporters. Each bears significance to the College and its location.

Arms (shield)

At the centre of the design is a white and green shield emblazoned with a red heart topped with a crown of cedar boughs.

The crowned heart on a white background is a feature of the Scottish coats of arms used by those with the surname Douglas, such as the College’s namesake, Sir James Douglas. The heart is also a nod to the College’s motto, “Do what you love. Be good at it.”

The cedar bough crown references both the local trees – a material traditionally used by the Coast Salish peoples – and the city of New Westminster’s nickname, the Royal City. The College’s varsity athletics teams are also called the Royals.

The mountain shape dividing the green and white sections of the shield signify the Eagle and Burke mountains near the Coquitlam Campus.

Crest

At the top of the design sits a raven with its wings outstretched, flanked by two Douglas fir boughs. The crest is placed on a wreath of cloth in six twists, alternating white and green. Below, there is a steel helmet draped in a cloth mantle, green on the outside, white on the inside.

The raven is an intelligent and resourceful local bird, and the Douglas fir is a notable local tree, which also shares its name with the College.

Motto

On a scroll below the shield is written, “Excellence, Knowledge, Passion” in the Coast Salish language Halkomelem.

These words embody the spirit of the College’s motto, “Do what you love. Be good at it.”, and are written in a Coast Salish language in acknowledgment of the College’s location on the traditional territory of the QayQayt and Kwikwetlem First Nations.

Supporters

On either side of the shield is an upright lion in white with a black mane. They stand on a rounded blue and white base.

The lions represent the Douglas College Royals’ mascot, Roary the Lion. The base on which they stand is a globe and represents the global outlook of the College.