On the eve of the summer solstice, a day of significance for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people, the Royal Canadian Mint honoured their rich heritage with a two dollar commemorative circulation coin celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day.
For the first time on a Canadian circulation coin, three different artists have collaborated on a single design to fuse their personal visions and respective cultures.
The artwork appearing on the new coin is the creation of Megan Currie, English River First Nation, Myrna Pokiak (Agnaviak), Inuvialuit Settlement Region and Jennine Krauchi, Red River Métis.
There is a limited mintage of three million coins, of which two million will be coloured, and will begin circulation Wednesday, to correspond with National Indigenous Peoples Day.
The coloured and uncoloured circulation coin are also available as collectibles in a six-piece coin set. Other collector products adding to the celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Day include:
- Special wrap rolls of 25 two-dollar circulation coins, in coloured and uncoloured versions;
- a special wrap roll set featuring a coloured and uncoloured coin roll; and
- a 1 oz. fine silver version of the circulation coin design.
“When it comes to reconciliation, I would say this is pretty close to that and I felt it with the people that I worked with.”
Ah yes, Reconciliation Lite ™ - “I can’t believe it’s not reconciliation!”
I like the art, but this coin feels like: Hey here’s two bucks, sorry we raped your children eh?
Exactly. Let’s give ourselves a pat on the back for this symbolic gesture that, uh, does nothing but make us feel better about ourselves! We’re cool now, right?
How could the gov ever make up for the brutal things that were done to those that were conquered and later tried to wipe out their culture? What will be enough? You can’t 2 dollar coin away having a culture fractured.