Three Indigenous artists create design for $2 commemorative coin

On the eve of the Summer Solstice, a day of great significance for First Nations, Inuit and Métis people across Canada, the Royal Canadian Mint is honouring their rich and diverse cultural heritages with a $2 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 reverse design. Together, they have fused personal visions of their respective cultures to create a unique perspective of First Nations, Inuit and Métis heritage that all people living in Canada can honour and celebrate on National Indigenous Peoples Day.

This inspiring coin will enter circulation on June 21, 2023.

The artwork appearing on the reverse of the 2023 $2 circulation coin celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day is the creation of three women artists, each one representing the First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities residing in Canada.

Megan Currie, English River First Nation; Myrna Pokiak (Agnaviak), Inuvialuit
Settlement Region; and Jennine Krauchi, Red River Métis each represent the First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities in Canada.

The coloured version is a vibrant green with pops of red and orange, so it won’t be hard to spot in your change.

You can learn more about the artists’ inspiration for the design here.

From left to right: Cassidy Caron, president of the Métis National Council, Dylan Whiteduck, chief, Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, English River First Nations artist Megan Currie, Red River Métis artist Jennine Krauchi, Natan Obed, president, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and Marie Lemay, president and CEO, Royal Canadian Mint unveil the National Indigenous Peoples Day $2 commemorative circulation coin at the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa June 20.