Behind the Design: Celebrating Inuit Nunangat Commemorative $2 Circulation Coin
- Nov 05, 2024
- History
- 2 minute read
Our newest commemorative circulation coin celebrates Inuit Nunangat—the Inuit homeland in Canada.
A Mint first for Canadian circulation, the Celebrating Inuit Nunangat $2 coin design combines the art of four Inuit artists who represent each of the four regions of Inuit Nunangat: Tegan Voisey (Makkovik, Nunatsiavut), Thomassie Mangiok (Ivujivik, Nunavik), Charlotte Karetak (Arviat, Nunavut), and Mary Okheena (Ulukhaktok, Inuvialuit Settlement Region).
“Each commemorative circulation coin program offers a unique opportunity to work creatively with partners to think of new and exciting ways to represent important stories,” says Matt Traversy, Program Manager, Commemorative Circulation. “This coin program is exceptional because, with Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, we developed a tailor-made method for the coin program’s creation and evolution.”
Our newest commemorative circulation coin celebrates Inuit Nunangat—the Inuit homeland in Canada.
A Mint first for Canadian circulation, the Celebrating Inuit Nunangat $2 coin design combines the art of four Inuit artists who represent each of the four regions of Inuit Nunangat: Tegan Voisey (Makkovik, Nunatsiavut), Thomassie Mangiok (Ivujivik, Nunavik), Charlotte Karetak (Arviat, Nunavut), and Mary Okheena (Ulukhaktok, Inuvialuit Settlement Region).
“Each commemorative circulation coin program offers a unique opportunity to work creatively with partners to think of new and exciting ways to represent important stories,” says Matt Traversy, Program Manager, Commemorative Circulation. “This coin program is exceptional because, with Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, we developed a tailor-made method for the coin program’s creation and evolution.”
Working in real time with Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and our team, the artists created a seamless piece of art that uniquely represents their culture and heritage. Through a series of virtual meetings held over the course of several months, the artists worked from their homes in Inuit Nunangat, and generated the ideas that define their shared design.
“The design process for this coin was a beautiful and collaborative journey,” adds Tami Brioux, Product Manager. “While working together remotely, each [artist] brought their unique perspective and style to the coin, reflecting their own stories, while also contributing to the unified vision. The result is a harmonious design that embodies both shared and individual expressions of the Inuit experience.”
Keep reading to discover all the design details behind this $2 coin celebrating the Inuit homeland in Canada.
Nuliajuk: A unifying symbol, Nuliajuk, spirit of the sea, is an ancient story shared, with regional variations, by Inuit communities across Inuit Nunangat.
Sea creatures: Nuliajuk is connected to Inuit through her bond with the sea creatures that Inuit depend on for food and resources, represented by a walrus, narwhal, two beluga whales, a seal, and Arctic char.
Ulu: On the outer ring, each of the four artists has designed a regionally specific ulu.
Pattern: A pattern used both in the tradition of Inuit tattooing and on clothing appears between the two security features.
Inuit Nunangat: The inclusion of “INUIT NUNANGAT” expresses the importance of this terminology in the expression of Canada’s identity by including the Inuktut name for the Inuit homeland in Canada.
Together, we invite all people living in Canada to learn about Inuit Nunangat, its distinct ways of life, vibrant culture, and rich heritage through this special 2024 commemorative circulation coin.