Cathy Lynne Bursey-Sabourin (born 1957) is a Canadian designer and heraldic artist. She launched her career as a commercial and graphic designer in St. John's and Ottawa. Her involvement with heraldic art began at the Department of National Defence. In 1989 she was appointed as Fraser Herald at the Canadian Heraldic Authority in

Ottawa Ottawa (, ; Canadian French: ) is the capital city of Canada. It is located at the confluence of the Ottawa River and the Rideau River in the southern portion of the province of Ontario. Ottawa borders Gatineau, Quebec, and forms the c ...

. She is the principal artist of the Authority and the first woman to hold a state herald appointment in the Commonwealth. Cathy Bursey-Sabourin has been responsible for the paintings made for the arms of the last five Governors General of Canada and the Coat of arms of Canada. Designed by her the maple leaf emblem symbolizing Ottawa, in an arrangement with two smaller leaves representing the two sciences - genealogy and heraldry - was an official emblem of the 22nd International Congress of Genealogical and Heraldic Sciences held in 1996 in Ottawa. She provided detailed artwork for the new insignia of the

Victoria Cross The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest and most prestigious award of the British honours system. It is awarded for valour "in the presence of the enemy" to members of the British Armed Forces and may be awarded posthumously. It was previousl ...

. In 2005 Bursey-Sabourin designed the

Governor General's Northern Medal The Polar Medal (french: Médaille polaire) is a Canadian medal intended to honour explorers of Canada's polar regions and defenders of the country's sovereignty in the north. The medal was initially conceived by Governor General Adrienne Clarkso ...

. From fall 2010 she worked with a team of designers that created the Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Emblem. Bursey-Sabourin was appointed a

Member of the Royal Victorian Order The Royal Victorian Order (french: Ordre royal de Victoria) is a dynastic order of knighthood established in 1896 by Queen Victoria. It recognises distinguished personal service to the British monarch, Canadian monarch, Australian monarch, o ...

(MVO) in the

2023 New Year Honours The 2023 New Year Honours are appointments by some of the 15 Commonwealth realms to various orders and honours to recognise and reward good works by citizens of those countries. The New Year Honours are awarded as part of the New Year celebrati ...

References

Canadian officers of arms Heraldic artists Canadian Heraldic Authority Canadian women painters Fellows of the Royal Heraldry Society of Canada Living people 1957 births 21st-century Canadian women artists Canadian Members of the Royal Victorian Order {{Canada-heraldry-stub

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