RCM Celebrates New Toonie
Celebrating Inuit Nunangat $2 coin
Royal Canadian Mint
The Royal Canadian Mint is issuing a new $2 commemorative circulation coin to invite all Canadians to celebrate Inuit Nunangat and learn more about the distinct ways of life and culture of Inuit thriving in this vast northern homeland. On the coin, Inuit unity is symbolized through four artists’ joint representation of the story of Nuliajuk, the spirit of the sea, and an ulu representing each of their homes within the Inuit homeland.
“Nuliajuk’s story is one of the most important in Inuit culture, and we are excited that she will now be honored in Canadian currency, the way we have honored her in our hearts and imaginations since time immemorial. Congratulations on a beautiful design by Mary Okheena, Charlotte Karetak, Thomassie Mangiok, and Tegan Voisey. We are also proud of this work in partnership with the Royal Canadian Mint, who have collaborated with Inuit on this project in a genuine and respectful manner,” said Natan Obed, President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami.
“Walking the path of reconciliation includes honoring the rich cultural contributions of Indigenous Peoples,” said the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance. “Inuit have called the North home for time immemorial, and it is fitting that the toonie—whose iconic polar bear has long spotlighted the Arctic—will now share the vibrant Inuit culture and distinct ways of life in Inuit Nunangat with all Canadians.”
The Inuit Nunangat coin diagram offers a key to the symbolism represented on the Toonie.
Royal Canadian Mint
The artwork appearing on the reverse of the 2024 $2 circulation coin celebrating Inuit Nunangat (ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᓄᓇᖓᑦ) is the creation of Tegan Voisey (Makkovik, Nunatsiavut),
Thomassie Mangiok (Ivujivik, Nunavik), Charlotte Karetak (Arviat, Nunavut) and Mary Okheena (Ulukhaktok, Inuvialuit Settlement Region). The inner core of the coin features an image of Nuliajuk wearing an atigi (parka), and clockwise from Nuliajuk are a walrus, two beluga whales, a seal, and an arctic char. On the right of the outer ring appear four different artistic interpretations of uluit (knives), whose appearance is derived from the traditional shape for uluit found in each region and that act as each of the artist’s signatures. The inscription “Inuit Nunangat” appears on the left. The coin’s obverse features the effigy of His Majesty King Charles III by Canadian artist Steven Rosati.
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