As Canada's coat of arms turns 100, is it time for an overhaul?

Canada's coat of arms was adopted by royal proclamation 100 years ago, and some say it's overdue for a redesign.

Nunavut's new MP, Lori Idlout, said she was asked by the Capital Current, a Carleton University student journalism publication, about updating the coat of arms to be more representative of First Nations, Inuit and Métis, and expressed her support for it.

"It's not an initiative that I'm leading. It's something that I've responded to and that I completely support because it is important to start acknowledging the territories that we are on in Canada," she told CBC.

Idlout is the NDP's critic for Indigenous Services, Northern Affairs and Crown-Indigenous Relations. She said that "because of how Canada came to be, and how there's always been First Nations, Métis and Inuit on these lands, we need to make sure that they're incorporated into the coat of arms."

Canadian Heraldic Authority, the group responsible for coats of arms, flags and badges, said changing Canada's coat of arms is up to the federal government, which would determine the process and who would take part in it.

In an emailed statement, the authority said the process "would be informed by efforts of reconciliation and collaboration with Indigenous peoples in Canada."

The heraldic authority would play an "important role" and would contribute "its experience in incorporating Indigenous elements into heraldic designs," it said. 

The federal Department of Canadian Heritage did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Canada's coat of arms was adopted by proclamation of King George V in on Nov. 21, 1921, and primarily reflects colonizing European nations.  

It shows a shield with maple leaves and symbols representing the "founding nations" of Canada: three royal lions for England, one for Scotland, the royal fleur-de-lis of France and royal harp of Ireland. Flanking the shield are a lion of England holding the Union Jack and Scotland's unicorn holding the flag of royal France. 

The coat of arms also bears a crown and Canada's official motto: A Mari Usque Ad Mare, a Latin phrase from the Bible that means "from sea to sea."

It appears on federal government buildings and in federal institutions like the Supreme Court of Canada, as well as on government publications, passports and on the rank badges of certain members of the Canadian Armed Forces.

The coat of arms has been redrawn a number of times since its initial design, most recently in 1994 with the addition of the Order of Canada motto: Desiderantes Meliorem Patriam, which means "They desire a better country."

"The coat of arms is an extremely important symbol in Canada," said Robert-Falcon Oullette, a senior fellow at the Pearson Centre for Progressive Policy and Cree from Red Pheasant Cree Nation in Saskatchewan.