2955) Mi'kmaq peoples, Canada: "Generations Coin Series": Third Silver Proof Coin issued by the Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) features the Story of CREATION of the Mi’kmaq Peoples: Date/Year of Coin issue: 25.08.2023:
The Header/Banner in the third issue of a Silver $20 (Twenty Dollars) in the Coin Series titled - "Generations" presents the seven levels of the "Creation" story which expresses the spiritual beliefs and core values of the Mi'qmaq peoples, that emphasise their relationship with the natural world.
The Royal Canadian Mint has released its third silver Proof collector coin, which is part of their series titled “Generations” which continues the theme of traditional stories, folklore, and art passed on by Canada’s Indigenous peoples.
The annual "Generations Silver Coin Series" celebrates the art, cultural beliefs and storytelling traditions of the First Peoples of Canada.
It focusses on how these cultural expressions offer important lessons while imparting values that shape one's understanding of the world, and of each other.
A tradition of sharing:
In the oral tradition, there is the expectation that the listener will learn about events, principles, values and a worldview. By combining Indigenous stories and art, this series seeks to honour Indigenous storytellers and the role they play in sharing traditional knowledge with new generations.
The history & teachings of the Mi'kmaq people:
Featured on the third coin are elements of culture and heritage, with its theme depicting the creation story of how life began according to the history and teachings of the Mi’kmaq people.
For all things, the story handed down as a narrative story is a foundational element of the Mi’kmaq culture. The story provides meaning and purpose while connecting each new generation to those of the past.
Much of Canada’s present-day Atlantic territory encompasses the traditional homeland of the Mi’kmaq people, stretching from Gaspésie, Quebec, to most of New Brunswick, all of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, and part of Newfoundland and Maine in the United States.
The Creation story - the story of how life began for all things - is a foundational element of the Mi’kmaw culture and teachings, one that provides meaning and purpose while connecting each new generation to those of the past.
To the Mi’kmaq people, whose homeland (Mi’kma’ki) encompasses much of present-day Atlantic Canada, their Creation story expresses traditional beliefs, spirituality and core values, and emphasizes their relationship with the natural world.
The Mi’kmaq Creation Story expresses the Mi’kmaw worldview and emphasizes the connectedness between all of Creation.
The seven levels of the Creation story express spiritual beliefs and core values that emphasise their relationship with the natural world.
Interestingly, the eight-pointed Mi’kmaq Star is a prominent cultural symbol and emblem for many Mi’kmaq.
The number seven is significant to the Mi'kmaq peoples, in addition to the seven levels of Creation, represented in the Mi’kmaq spiritual sacred ceremonies, there are seven districts that make up Mi’kma’ki, homeland of the Mi’kmaq, which stretches from Gaspésie (Quebec) to most of New Brunswick, all of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, and includes parts of Newfoundland and Maine (United States).
The Commemorative Coin:
The Obverse and Reverse of the $20 (Twenty Dollars) Silver Coin placed side-by-side
The Reverse of the $20 (Twenty Dollars) Coin illustrates the Mi’kmaq Creation Story, which explains the seven levels of Creation of life.
The coin has been designed by Newfoundland Mi’kmaq artist Marcus Gosse, who illustrates the Mi’kmaq creation story with a depiction of all seven levels of the creation of life.
The Mi’kmaq Creation Story unfolds in the cardinal directions South, West and North across the coin’s reverse that reflects the cyclical nature of the natural world, where everything has its own unique spirit, and where all must work in harmony with one another.
The first three levels of Creation are combined in the centre portion
- the first level is "Kisu’lk", the Giver of Life (above), represented here by the stars of the universe
- the second level, represented by the Mi’kmaq eight-pointed star, is "Niskam", Grandfather Sun, who puts spirit into life (within) and
- the third level is "Wsitkamu", Mother Earth (under), sustaining life (water, rocks, plants and a moose).
- In the East and to the right of the centre portion, the fourth level shows "Kluskap", the first human being, created from a lightning bolt and visited by the eagle Kitpu, messenger to the Giver of life, and when he leaves a feather falls, which Kluskap catches before it touches the ground.
Symbolic sacredness of the eagle feather. Moving in a clockwise direction, the fifth level (south) is "Nukami", the Grandmother who owes her existence to a rock, she is wise and knowledgeable and brings teachings how to survive, she is with a marten that represents the first meal of meat cooked on the first fire.
The sixth level (West) shows "Netawansum", the Nephew, representing the youth, who owes his existence from elements of the sea, and he holds with a braid of sweetgrass; their second meal of fish.
Finally, the seventh level (North) is "Nekanakanim-Koosiskw", the Mother; she owes her existence to a leaf of a tree, she brings love, understanding and all the colours of the world, while the wigwam represents home. She will teach all her children to share and care for each other. The third meal is made of plants and berries to honour her arrival.
The Obverse of the $20 (Twenty Dollars) Coin features the memorial effigy of the late Queen Elizabeth II (1926–2022) designed by Susanna Blunt, which also bears a special marking to the left of the portrait that includes four pearls symbolising the four effigies that have figured on Canadian coins and the double date of her reign, 1952 and 2022.
Above the effigy is the text "CANADA. 2023" and the denomination of "20 DOLLARS", which is placed below the Queen’s image.
The specifications of this Coin are:
Country of issue: Canada; Date/Year: 25.08.2023; Denomination/Face Value: $20 (Twenty Dollars - CAN); Metal Composition: .999 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 1.0 Oz or 31.39 grams; Diameter/Size: 38.00 mm; Coin Quality: Proof (P); Mintage: 5,500 pieces; Edge: Serrated; Presentation Box/Case: Yes; Certificate of Authenticity (COA): Yes; Designer: Mi’kmaw artist Marcus Gosse (Ala’suinu - Traveller).
- Each coin is encapsulated and presented in a branded Royal Canadian Mint branded Custom Case accompanied by a numbered/serialised Certificate of Authenticity (COA).
Canada's Unexplained Phenomena Coin Series Posts on this blog:
New Generation Coin Series:
Links to "Star Wars: A New Hope™":
Links to posts on Boba Fett:
Other Links:
Links to The Bad Batch Coin Series:
Rajan Trikha has commented:
ReplyDelete"Excellent Post."
Thank you so much, Trikha sahab.
DeleteSantosh Khanna has commented:
ReplyDelete"Very interesting and informative post. Thanks for sharing this interesting post."
Thank you so much, Khanna sahab.
DeleteRaj Kumar Srivastava has commented:
ReplyDelete"Great 👍🏻."
Thank you so much, Raj.
Delete