Association des familles Durand (Canada)

Last modified: 2012-08-11 by rob raeside
Keywords: tricolor | fleur-de-lys: 3 | letter: d (gothic) | wheat spikes: 2 | chevron: yellow |
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• Quebec

The association was informally founded on 3 August 1988 by Albani Durand, Denise Durand, Engelbert Durand, Jean-Pierre Durand, Lucien Durand, Philippe Durand and Martin Durand. On 27 August 1988, the founding general assembly of the association took place in the Laval University in Sainte-Foy. The first elected president of the association was Martin Durand.

In 1988, the association unanimously adopted the motto "Tenacité, Endurance, Fierté" (Tenacity, Endurance, Pride). The coat of arms of the association was adopted on 23 November 1988. It was designed by Priest Lucien Godbout upon request of Jean-Pierre Durand. The three fleurs-de-lis recall France. The Gothical letter D is the initial of the family name and symbolizes the scrupulousness and flexibility of the Durand families. The two wheat spikes symbolize the settlement of the early ancestors. Blue represents serenity, peace and happiness; gold represents the spiritual values and the hardships undergone by the ancestors; red represents fire and life, courage and endurance as well as love.

In spring 1990, Jean-Pierre and Martin Durand were commissioned by the association to design a flag. They met the Mirabau company, from the city of Vanier. The proposal of a blue-white-red flag, recalling France, with the coat of arms of the association in the center, was unanimuously accepted. The flag was unveiled in Champlain on 23 June 1990 during the commemoration of the 325th anniversary of the landing of the ancestor Pierre Durand in Nouvelle-France. The flag was hoisted on a mast in front of the church and the river Saint-Laurent.

The flag, as shown on the association website, is rectangular in proportion 1:2, vertically divided red-white-blue (1:2:1 like the Canadian national flag); the picture shows a red-white-blue flag whereas the above description says blue-white-red!
Ivan Sache, 13 September 2005 Ivan Sache