The National Emblems of Trinidad and Tobago (Amendment) Bill, 2025 was overwhelmingly approved by Parliament, according to the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and the Arts. This bill substitutes Trinidad and Tobago’s national instrument, the steelpan, for drawings of Columbus’ ships. On January 13, 2025, the House of Representatives passed the Bill, which was led by Minister Randall Mitchell.
The Ministry stated in its recent statement, “This groundbreaking Bill will replace the representation of Columbus’ ships on our Coat of Arms (established in 1962) with our National Treasure – the Steelpan, our official National Musical Instrument.”
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The ministry further noted, “This is a proud milestone for Trinidad and Tobago, as we continue to celebrate and promote our rich cultural heritage and identity while making our mark on history.”
Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley stated during his speech in Parliament that the people of Trinidad and Tobago value this emblem.
“Symbolism matters. It’s not a question of either or, we can have it all. We can have symbols, we can have jobs, and we can have food, but at the end of the day, symbolism matters.”
He continues, “It is not to be trivialized…because it’s elections. Last year this country took the step to make the steelpan the national instrument of Trinidad and Tobago. Do you know how many years the pan-playing fraternity, and others, have been saying we should do that?”
PM Rowley explains, “Those ships symbolize that [slavery]…bringing Africans here like animals, treating them like animals, and then you symbolize that as a great success…it should never have been there in the first place.
“And I’m particularly pleased today as Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago to be standing in this debate, supported by my colleagues because we’re going to take it off and put the pan on there.”
According to Minister Mitchell, Trinidad and Tobago’s distinct cultural character is celebrated by this historic reform. Additionally, on August 11, the United Nations marked World Steelpan Day.
