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Belcarra, British Columbia (Canada)

Greater Vancouver Regional District

image by Arnaud Leroy, 15 October 2006
Source: town hall

Description of the flag

See also:

Description of the flag

The Village of Belcarra lies North of Burrard Inlet and East of Indian Arm, around an hour from Downtown Vancouver, and borders Port Moody and Anmore. It was only founded as a Village in 1979 and the population is around 700. Youngsters go to Elementary School in Anmore, Middle School in Port Moody, and Secondary in Coquitlam. It is one of the last of the GVRD municipalities to adopt a Coat of Arms. The arms (and flag) were unveiled on 8 November 2005. The flag is a Banner of the Arms which show an evergreen tree (no species given, just a "Conifer Eradicated Vert"), and a native Wolf character, separated by a wedge coloured "barry wavy Azure and Argent". This is the Village's description of the arms from their PDF presentation:

Belcarra was one of only a handful of municipalities in the Lower Mainland who did not have a Coat of Arms. Council felt that this project would be a special way to mark the Village’s 25th year of incorporation in 2004, when a “draft sketch” was presented to the community. “The Village is very proud of our heritage and our new Coat of Arms is a symbolic reflection of our history”, Mayor Ralph Drew said. “The community design incorporates Belcarra’s First Nation’s and Irish history, and we certainly have that with the traditional Tsleil-Waututh wolf symbol and the green shamrocks in the crown.” The Mayor went on to explain some of the symbolism — “the Coat of Arms has elements representative of forest, sea, mountains and wildlife. The Eagle perched on a crown surrounded with shamrocks adorns the new symbol.” The motto “Between Forest and Sea” refers to the geography of Belcarra. Robert Watt, Chief Herald of Canada, said: “It has been delightful working with Belcarra on this project. I’m always excited to see others take an interest in heraldry and in their communities.”

Dean McGee, 15 November 2005

I have visited the villages of Belcarra this morning. The municipal hall confirmed that the heraldic flag that was granted in 2006 has now been made in the cloth, but not until June 5, 2009. It is proportioned 1:2, and there are plans to make "boat flags" available to the public with the same design. I guess this makes it a state flag and civil ensign.
Dean McGee, 23 July 2009

The Grant of Arms, Supporters, Flag and Badge to Belcarra appears in the Public Register of Arms, Flags and Badges of Canada, 20 May 2005, Vol. IV, p. 489.

The flag is a banner of the arms, which are described as follows:

"Blazon
Arms
Argent a pile reversed barry wavy Azure and Argent between a conifer eradicated Vert and a wolf in the Salish style rampant beating a drum all Azure, Vert and Argent;

Crest
Issuant from an antique crown Or charged with a frieze of shamrocks Vert, an eagle wings elevated and addorsed Azure, the head Argent beaked Or;

Supporters
Dexter a bear Or armed Azure gorged with a collar of maple leaves Vert, sinister a stag Or attired and unguled Azure gorged with a collar of dogwood flowers Argent leaved and seeded Vert, both standing on a rock set with salal leaves and sword ferns proper;

Motto
BETWEEN FOREST AND SEA;

Symbolism
Arms
The colours blue, white and green link the shield with the current Belcarra emblem. The triangle represents the waters of the Indian Arm, and the conifer also recalls the present emblem. The ancient presence of the First Nations in and around Belcarra is symbolized by the Salish wolf, associated with the wolf clan (children of Takaya) of the Tsleil-Waututh First Nation, known as “The People of the Inlet.”

Crest
The crown represents the mountain vistas seen from Belcarra. The shamrocks honour the Irish heritage of Belcarra’s founder. The eagle refers to Belcarra’s magnificent natural heritage. It also symbolizes the powerful spirit of the community.

Supporters
The bear and stag allude to Belcarra’s natural heritage. The collars are a reference to Belcarra as a British Columbian and Canadian municipality. The gold refers to the light and warmth of the community’s spirit. The salal plants, sword ferns and rock continue to celebrate Belcarra’s geographical features.

Motto
BETWEEN FOREST AND SEA is a phrase that has long been used as the motto of Belcarra."
http://archive.gg.ca/heraldry/pub-reg/project-pic.asp?lang=e&ProjectID=499&ProjectElementID=1676

Ivan Sache, 4 August 2010