22 - Sunday, May 26, 1991 - North Shore News NV resident employed in the ancient custom of heraldry HIS FRIENDS and family might be tempted to call Robert Watt “chief."" And although the North Vancouver resident is not a native Indian, he is indeed a chief, the only one of its kind in Canada. By Surj Rattan News Reporter Watt is the Chief Heraid of Canada. While most people have probably never heard of him or his title, his work can be seen all across Canada. To put it simply, Watt's job is to design all of the official coats of arms granted by the federal government. What’s more, Watt is the first Chief Herald of Canada, having assumed the title in June 1988 when the position was first created and when the Canadian Heraldic Authority was established. “Every Canadian, whether it is a corporation, a government or an individual is eligible to make an application to receive a coat of arms,”’ says Watt. ‘“‘If the ap- plication is approved then it’s the chief herald’s responsibility to go ahead and shape the symbol.”’ Watt admits that few people are: familias with heraldry, which has a long-standing tradition in Canada. European heraldry began as an emblematic form of individual identification, firs: appearing in the 12th century. Contro! over granting and using coats of arms was assumed by monarchs and sovereign princes who would appoint knowledgeable professionals, known as_ heralds, to administer the authority in their name. But, says Watt, not just anyone can receive a coat of arms. There are conditions that have to be met. “For individuals, it’s not an absolute automatic thing. There must be evidence that through their work or through their volun- 464 Every Canadian, whether it is a corporation, a government or an individual is eligible to make an application to receive a coat of arms. 99 teering they are making a better- ment to the community in which they live,’* Watt says. Once a request for a coat of arms is granted, Watt sits down with the person or the organiza- tion and makes notes on their in- terests and backgrounds — char- acteristics that will be incor- YOUR CAREER IN ELECTRONICS More and more industries are depending onelectronics to carry them into the 2)st century. And more and more people are depending on the Elec- tronics program at BCIT to prepare them for careers in telecommunica- tions, manufacturing, business auta- mation, avionics, robotics and many * other challenging rewarding fields. ORIENTATION NIGHT MAY 28TH, 1991 7-10 p.m., SWS 1845. (Two digital multimeters will be given away as door prizes.) On May 26 you can attend an informal evening of discussion with BCST instructors and tour the facili- ties of the Electronics department. BCIT offers courses in electronic technology system design and “hands-on” installation, mainten. ance and repair For more information on the ~ Orientation Night. please call 434-3304. STARTS MAY, 19 prvent Boles trontes Prngivinye jeeeroc cal the SSCOWER THENEW ELECTRONICS =e HOTLIAE ——— 432-9999 BRITISH COLUMBIA INSTETUTE OF TECHNOLOGY ¢ NAME: Robert Watt © AGE: 45 * RESIDENCE: Narth Van- couver ¢ OCCUPATION: Chief Herald of Canada ¢ BORN: Picton, Ont. * FAMILY: Wife Alison, two children porated into the coat of arms. He recently completed the official North Vancouver District coat of arms, which he designed last year in time for the district’s centennial. “For that coat of arms there was a team of advisors at the district whom | worked with, and it was headed by then-mayor Marilyn Baker. It’s stating the obvious, of course, but I had ad- |. ce j La vantages going into that process le Bad that I don’t always have because I caeeees live here (North Vancouver), but also because I’ve grown up on the North Shore.’’ Watts says. He has also designed the coats of arms for North Vancouver City and West Vancouver District. Watt splits his time between Ot- tawa, where he has a staff of five, and an office in Vancouver. “f find that I do a lot of my conceptions on the plane flying back and forth from Ottawa and Vancouver because ! can sit there with a piece of paper and my notes and think about how I’m going to approach a_ particular situation,”’ says Watt. ‘*Heraldry is like other kinds of creative work. Sometimes you can have a NEWS photo Pike Waketleld flash of inspiration and other THE CREATIVE side of Robert Watt at work. The time it takes times it’s a hard slog.’’ MONDAY, MAY 27th THRU SUNDAY, JUNE 2nd FREE APPRAISALS For information cali 856-2131 him to design a coat of arms can vary. MALL HOURS: Mon.-Wed. 10:00-5:30; Thurs. & Fri. 10:00- 9:00; Sat. 9:30-5:30; Sun. 12:00-5:00935 Marine Dr., North Vancouver 980-8561