Coat of arms of Etobicoke

Heraldic symbol of Etobicoke

Coat of arms of Etobicoke

Armiger| Etobicoke
Adopted| 1977
Crest| On a wreath of the colours Or and Vert, a Canadian Mural Crown, embattled of six maple leaves Or masoned and veined Sable;
Shield| Or on a mount Vert a clump of four speckled alders proper;
Supporters| On the dexter side a representation of a native Indian of the era, on bended knee holding in the dexter hand a bow all proper, and- on the sinister side a figure on bended knee representing Etienne Brule, holding in the sinister hand a musket, all proper;
Compartment| An escroll Argent the name ETOBICOKE, on the dexter side the word TRADITION, and on the sinister the word PROGRESS, all Sable

The coat of arms of Etobicoke is the heraldic achievement representing the former city of Etobicoke in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is set to be removed after being criticized for being racist and stereotypical. Other criticism includes the fact that tradition is aligned under the Indigenous man and so, has a certain narrative. They date back to 1977 and are present in the Etobicoke Civic Centre Council Chamber and outside a separate boardroom in the building.

## History

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The coat of arms was used on the city seal and used extensively from 1977 until the amalgamation of Toronto in 1998. It was used mostly in physical form and on numerous documents and mediums. The controversy over the coat of arms began in 2019, when several members of the community suggested to the city staff and politicians that the Indigenous figure was made in a way that could be considered a racist caricature.[1]

## Symbolism

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It depicts an Indigenous man on the left and explorer Étienne Brûlé on the right.[2] Underneath the Indigenous man is written on a scroll "tradition" and below the European settler on the right with the word "progress" underneath him on either side of a clump of alders (Etobicoke means "place where the alder trees grow").[3][4]

## Blazon

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Arms: Or on a mount Vert a clump of four speckled alders proper;

Crest: On a wreath of the colours Or and Vert, a Canadian Mural Crown, embattled of six maple leaves Or masoned and veined Sable;

Supporters: On the dexter side a representation of a native Indian of the era, on bended knee holding in the dexter hand a bow all proper, and on the sinister side a figure on bended knee representing Etienne Brule, holding in the sinister hand a musket, all proper;

Compartment: On a compartment consisting of an escroll Argent the name ETOBICOKE, on the dexter side the word TRADITION, and on the sinister the word PROGRESS, all Sable.[5]

## Controversy

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It is set to be removed after being criticized for being racist and stereotypical as well as that tradition is aligned under the Indigenous man and so, has a certain narrative.[6][7] They date back to 1977 and are present in the Etobicoke Civic Centre Council Chamber and outside a separate boardroom in the building but are set to be removed.[8]

## References

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1. ^ "Etobicoke's coat of arms could be scrapped over concerns about anti-Indigenous stereotypes". CBC News. 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
2. ^ Mudhar, Raju (December 6, 2023). "City reports confirms Etobicoke coat of arms offensive". Toronto Star. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
3. ^ Appia, Veronica (December 11, 2019). "Analysis: Is the former Etobicoke coat of arms racist?". Toronto.com. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
4. ^ Shephard, Tamara (December 11, 2019). "Analysis: Is the former Etobicoke coat of arms racist?". The Cambridge Times. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
5. ^ "City of Etobicoke By-Law 4149 – A By-Law With Respect to the Armorial Achievements, The Seal, The Civic Badge, and the Flag of the Municipality" (PDF). The Corporation of the Borough of Etobicoke. 4149. pp. 1-2. 1977.
6. ^ Holmes, Justin (February 10, 2024). "ARMS RACE: City rushed to remove symbol so offensive no one can explain it". Toronto Sun. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
7. ^ Mudhar, Raju (November 8, 2023). "Why Toronto is taking down Etobicoke's coat of arms". Toronto Star. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
8. ^ Lopez, Serena (December 6, 2023). "Plan to scrap controversial Etobicoke coat of arms moves forward". CP24. Retrieved October 2, 2024.