Rossland

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ROSSLAND

Province : British Columbia

Official blazon

Arms : Per chevron Argent and Gules billetty Or on a Canadian pale per chevron Gules and Argent in chief a coronet the rim set above with bezants alternating with maple leaves Or in base a representation of a female downhill skier on the course contourné Gules.
Crest: Issuant from a coronet of snowflakes Argent a cubit arm proper grasping a miner's pick on which are set two skis in saltire one in front one behind Or.
Supporters: On a mound of lava rock set above with coniferous trees all proper dexter an eagle Or gorged with mullets Argent fimbriated Gules pendant therefrom a sword also Gules sinister a bear Sable billety Or gorged with snowflakes alternating with maple leaves Argent.
Motto: THE MOUNTAINS OUR TREASURE

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on February 29, 1996.

The colour red recalls Red Mountain, one of the city’s most dramatic features. The narrow gold rectangles on either side refer to the tremendous gold mines of the region, notably Le Roi, which is also represented by the alternating maple leaf and disc crown for Canada and wealth. The broad band of white on the mountain alludes to the ski runs and alpine recreation. The female skier evokes the triumphs of Nancy Greene and Karen Lee Gartner, who trained and skied on the Rossland slopes.

The snowflake crown is illustrative of the majesty of the local peaks of the Monashees and of winter sports. The arm signifies the determined spirit of the community. The miner’s pick refers to the discovery of gold, and the skis symbolize the new economic directions and the historic achievements on the local slopes.

The bald eagle, wearing a collar of stars from which hangs a red sword, is a visual pun of the city’s mines, “War Eagle” and “Centre Star”. The black bear, with gold rectangles, which is also a visual pun of other mining sites, emphasizes the gold found during the period before the Second World War. The collar of snowflakes and maple leaves recalls the city’s location and the wealth gained from the winter recreation industry.

This phrase celebrates the natural and mining heritage of the city and winter and summer recreation.

Literature : Image from http://www.gg.ca