Newfoundland History

The Coat of arms of Newfoundland consists of a red shield on which appears the cross of St John the Baptist (the harbour of St. John's was discovered on the saint's feast day). The lions and unicorns found on the shield are royal symbols of Britain. Their presence emphasizes the strong ties of Newfoundland to Britain historically. The shield is supported by an early European rendition of Beothuk indians, the native indians of Newfoundland who became extinct in the first third of the nineteenth century. On top of the shield is found the fanciful representation of a caribou, once very widespread in Newfoundland and still found today in the interior of the province and in Labrador. At the bottom, the provincial motto is inscribed. It translates as: "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God".