Dene artist helps design Canadian Mint’s newest toonie
- Kerry Benjoe | July 14, 2023
On June 21st Canadians were able to purchase the 2023 National Indigenous Peoples Day commemorative $2 coin that was created by three artists—Megan Currie, English River First Nation, Myrna Pokiak (Agnaviak), Inuvialuit Settlement Region and Jennine Krauchi, Red River Métis.
“It’s quite monumental because I guess this is the first time that there’s been three indigenous artists on (Canadian currency) and then also female artists,” said Currie, owner and art director of Crossing Design. “It was quite an honour, but it actually didn’t even really hit me until it got unveiled.”
The artists each designed a segment of the coin, which is to represent the First Nation, Inuit and Métis people.
The project took more than a year to complete.
“The mint reached out asking if I would like to submit a design for the commemorative coin,” said Currie. “I submitted three concepts and then they picked one.”
Her contribution is much more than just a floral pattern.
Currie incorporated five important symbols into her design such as: Grandmother Moon with the seven phases of the moon etched on the perimeter of the coin.The phases represent the past present and future including the seventh-generation teaching; The blossoming flower is the central image of the design, which depicts an adult figure raising a child to symbolize hope; The Forget me not flower is to honour the past including the survivors of residential and day schools, the 60s Scoop, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls as well as the contributions of veterans. The rising sun within the flower signifies a new day and the opportunity for everyone to embrace Reconciliation; The four circles within the main flower and the berries are to acknowledge the four stages of life, ceremonies and the four seasons while the berries are to remind people to honour Mother Earth; and finally, The Butterflies symbolize transformation, metamorphosis and balance. It’s also a reminder for people to live a balanced life – spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally.
Currie said to see the coin unveiled was a moment she’ll never forget.
“To finally see it and know that you contributed something to that? It was good,” she said. “Its still kind of shocking because I know it’s going to be circulated throughout Canada. It’s going to be in the hands of many people. And it’s an honour.”
Currie, a long-time artist, started her own graphic design business 10 years ago, but it’s only been in the last few years she’s been able to do it full time.
As an artist, she never set any big goals with her art.
“I don’t know if I when I was younger, if I ever thought it was possible (to be a full-time artist),” said Currie.
As a 60s Scoop survivor, she said it was good to be part of a national project to celebrate Indigenous identity.
“Growing up, (as an Indigenous person) we’re sort of seen as less than all the time and it was never a thing to celebrate,” she said. “It was more something to be hidden or to be ashamed of.”
To have the coin go into circulation on National Indigenous People’s Day filled her with a sense of pride.