Red River Metis to be honoured with new silver coin
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Posted August 2, 2022 6:30 pm.
Last Updated August 3, 2022 2:06 pm.
The traditional beadwork of the Red River Metis has been etched into a 1 oz coin of pure silver, debuting at the Royal Canadian Mint in Manitoba. The new coin features the centuries-old art form as a proud expression of Metis heritage and culture.
It’s the latest coin in the mint’s “generations series”, which tells the story of the Red River Metis through the intricate beadwork patterns of Manitoba Metis artist and master beader, Jennie Krauchi.
“You know, our story as Metis people, is all in that coin,” said Krauchi.
Krauchi says she was thrilled to find out she was selected to design the coin. Adding the floral engraving highlights the journey and struggles of her people and the hardships they have had to overcome.
A fire in the center of the coin speaks to a period of repression and loss, while a classic Red River Metis prairie rose sits above the fire, symbolizing survival and cultural resurgence.
The infinity symbol represents the Metis nation’s eternal and unbreakable spirit, explained Krauch adding the coin also contains elements of the michif language.
“This is written in michif in here, and the translation was done by Vernon Demontie, and that is ‘believe in yourself, believe in Metis, Red River,'” Krauchi explained.
“Sharing stories of Canada and its people through coins is an important mission of the Royal Canadian Mint,” said Carlos Barcenas, senior director of Winnipeg manufacturing at the Royal Canadian Mint.
Barcenas says the coin was designed to act as a miniature piece of art that can also serve as an educational resource.
Federal Minister Dan Vandal was at the coin’s unveiling ceremony on Tuesday and says Krauchi did a remarkable job telling the Metis story in her coin design.
“The traditional symbols and the beadwork speak to us of the pride the passion and the struggle of generations of Metis, and this coin itself becomes part of telling that story to not only our people but to all of Canada and the world,” said Minister Vandal.
Anita Campbell, Minister of Finance and Human Resources with the Manitoba Metis Federation, says this coin is creating a new legacy allowing Metis stories and history to be passed and shared between current and future generations in a unique and meaningful way.
“We are a distinct nation, with a distinct culture, a distinct history, and sharing this knowledge widely is something we feel strongly about,” said Campbell.
The pure silver coins are selling for just under $100. Krauchi suspects most people who buy one will leave it inside its protective case, however, the beadwork calls out to be touched she says, and she hopes at least one person who gets the limited-edition coin will remove it from the plastic and move it between their fingers.
“Maybe there’s one that takes it out of that little case and feels those little beads, yup.”
Only 5,000 of the silver coins will be minted.