WINNIPEG, Manitoba,
Oct. 22, 2019 /PRNewswire/
-- The Royal Canadian Mint has unveiled a fine silver Special
Edition Proof Dollar marking the 175th anniversary of
the birth of Louis Riel. In addition
to featuring an evocative portrait of the founder of Manitoba, this is the first coin produced by
the Mint to be engraved with Michif, the official language of the
Métis Nation. The coin was officially launched today at the
Manitoba Metis Federation's annual celebration of Louis Riel's birth.
Born 175 years ago in Saint-Boniface, in the former territory of
Rupert's Land, Riel was central to the effort to protect Métis
rights when the land that would become the province of Manitoba was transferred to the Dominion of
Canada. He is known as the founder of Manitoba, after negotiating the terms under
which the newly created province entered Confederation in 1870.
"The Mint plays an important role in crafting coins that tell
stories of the people who have shaped the course of Canadian
history," said Marie Lemay,
President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "We are proud that
our newest collector coin recognizes that Louis Riel's leadership and tireless advocacy
for the Métis Nation made an undeniable contribution to
Manitoba and Canada."
"Louis Riel is both an iconic
figure and an aspirational role model not only for the Métis
Nation, but for all Canadians. He protected Métis
self-determination, stood strong for language, religious, and
Indigenous rights, and resisted injustice," said David Chartrand, President of the Manitoba Metis
Federation. "With his Provisional Government leadership, the Métis
Nation became Canada's Negotiating
Partner in Confederation and the Founder of Manitoba. We are
proud that the Royal Canadian Mint has worked closely with us to
commemorate President Riel's 175th birthday. We welcome them, and
indeed all Canadians, in our very special celebration."
Designed by Métis artist David
Garneau, the reverse of the 2019 Special Edition Proof
Dollar features a portrait of Riel wearing a fur-trimmed buckskin
jacket adorned with traditional floral beadwork. The Coventry sash
encircling his portrait forms one looped half of the emblem of the
Métis Nation: an infinity sign that represents the unification of
two cultures and the immortality of the Métis Nation.
"The Royal Canadian Mint's coin pays fitting tribute to the
eternal leader of the Métis Nation," said Clément Chartier,
President of the Métis National Council. "Louis Riel's vision and sacrifice not only
shaped the struggle of the Métis people to secure their place
within the Canadian Federation but also gave birth to western
Canada itself."
The tri-lingual inscription of Riel's title found on the lower
band of the sash reads: NIIKAANIIW POOR LA NAASYOON LII MICHIF -
MÉTIS NATION LEADER - CHEF DE LA NATION DES MÉTIS. The coin
also features an engraving of Louis
Riel's signature. The effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth
II by Susanna Blunt is found on the
obverse.
Limited to a world-wide mintage of 15,000, this 99.99% pure
silver coin retails for $59.95 CAD
and can be ordered as of today by directly contacting the Royal
Canadian Mint at 1-800-267-1871 in Canada, 1-800-268-6468 in the US, or at
www.mint.ca. It will also be available at the Royal Canadian Mint's
boutiques in Ottawa and
Winnipeg, at participating Canada
Post outlets, and through the Mint's global network of dealers and
distributors as of November 5,
2019.
Images of the coin are available here.
About the Royal Canadian Mint
The Royal Canadian Mint
is the Crown corporation responsible for the minting and
distribution of Canada's
circulation coins. The Mint is recognized as one of the largest and
most versatile mints in the world, offering a wide range of
specialized, high quality coinage products and related services on
an international scale. For more information on the Mint, its
products and services, visit www.mint.ca. Follow the Mint on
Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Contact
Alex Reeves, Senior Manager, Public
Affairs, Telephone: +1-613-884-6370, reeves@mint.ca