Royal Canadian Mint
&
National Centre for Truth & Reconciliation
“I want to thank the Residential School Survivors for trusting us with this project in order to transform their voices into art. It was an honour, a privilege, and a blessing to work on this historical piece on your behalf.
Thank you kindly.” – JD Hawk –
Sept 22, 2022
NCTR, The Survivors Circle and the RCM had a ceremony introducing the 2022 Truth and Reconciliation Keepsake.
Historical – First of its Kind
RCM – “This keepsake was developed in collaboration with Residential, Day, and Boarding School Survivors, and First Nations, Inuit and Métis artists… The net proceeds of the sale of each keepsake will be donated to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation’s Na-mi-quai-ni-mak Community Support Fund (meaning “I remember them” in Anishinaabemowin)…”
Several unique firsts and factors about this project for the Royal Canadian Mint.
1. It was a first of its kind
2. It was the first time 3 artists / nations worked together and were represented on one coin.
3. It was also the first time a group from the public were allowed into the highly guarded & restricted area of the RCM
4. First time a Ceremony took place inside the restricted RCM area, which Métis Elder & Residential Survivor – Brian Normand, who
gave the prayers and blessing.
JD Hawk’s involvement ..
(Please note: There is a lot of information and photos on the RCM & NCTR websites regarding this project, including information on the other artists, and explaining the symbolism and meanings from the other nations. The following blog is strictly from JD’s perspective and his involvement.)
At the beginning of 2022, JD was approached by The Royal Canadian Mint. They were working on a historical piece for the 2022 Truth and Reconciliation. It was the first of its kind and a collectors’ piece. With the approval and blessing of the Residential School Survivors and the NCTR, the RCM requested 3 artists, one from each indigenous nation to help come up with the design.
“I was in shock. It was such a huge honour filled with tears of joy knowing my artwork would be representing
the Métis Survivors voices, our Métis citizens, along side our First Nations & Inuit relatives.
This was truly a blessing to be part of.”
– JD Hawk –
The Three Artists Chosen:
Inuk – Jason Sikoak
First Nations – Leticia Spence
Métis – JD Hawk
After several Zoom meetings and collaborations with all involved, the final design, symbolism and meaning
behind it was approved by the NCTR & Survivors. The RCM’s team and their engraver went to work on producing this magnificent historical piece
JD Hawk holding one of the first struck coins, with
RCM’s Senior Director – Carlos Barcena Dominquez
July 29, 2022 – Ceremonial Striking of the Keepsake
Royal Canadian Mint in Winnipeg, MB
Alongside NCTR, Survivors, RCM Senior Director Carlos Barcena Dominquez & staff, had the privilege of a very rare opportunity to be inside the restricted and highly guarded area where the coins where being minted.
Survivor & Elder – Brian Normand gave the blessing & prayers for the ceremonial striking. The coin press machine was
turned on, producing the magnificent Keepsakes. (pictures of this event can be found on the RCM website)
Brian Normand
Métis Elder & Residential School Survivor
JD made an observation which was later relayed to the RCM’s Senior Director in an email…
“I appreciated everything about today, and there was something I noticed that made it even more special …
All the workers (from various cultural backgrounds) standing near the ceremonial striking …
Wow! It was like “Canada” had stopped, listened, and is now moving forward with Truth and Reconciliation…
it was a very appreciated gesture and I would love to shake hands with everyone that was there.
Thank you and your staff for showing respect to us, it hasn’t gone unnoticed, and we appreciate it.”
Sept 22, 2022
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
(University of Manitoba)
NCTR, The Survivors Circle, RCM, and Guests at a ceremony introducing the 2022 Truth and Reconciliation Keepsake to the public.
This historical piece and the placard explaining the design & symbolism
can be purchased through the Royal Canadian Mint – HERE
Artists: Jason Sikoak, JD Hawk, Leticia Spence,
Executive Director: Stephanie Scott
French Interview & Photo courtesy: Radio-Canada / Radjaa Abdelsadok
Left to Right:
Jennifer Wood, Marie Lemay, Jason Sikoak, Eugene Arcand,
Leticia Spence, JD Hawk, Stephanie Scott
JD’s contribution ….
Infinity Symbol – As seen on the Red River Métis Flag, which is 150yrs older than the Canadian Flag. The infinity sign symbolizes the coming together of two distant cultures (First Nations and European) and their existence forever as a people.
Métis Sash – A distinct cultural garment connecting all of Métis citizens, no matter where they were disbursed or located. The length, pattern and colours each tell a story of our history, connection to each other & nature, and moving forward.
Bison – A symbol of the Métis, it’s Strength, Resilience, and Endurance. JD purposely had the bison facing east – It is said that bison will walk into the storm in order to get through it and to the other side quicker. Having the bison face east symbolizes that’s where the storm (colonization) came from. Through Truth & Reconciliation, the Bison (Métis) are now coming out of that storm.
Beaded Flower with Vines, Thorns and Berries – Before the 17th century, the Métis were called “the beaded flower people” by our First Nation relatives. The thorns represent the hardships, pain and suffering we have been through. The berries represent the continued growth and hope. The beaded flowers are our continued resilience and endurance to grow, shine and flourish.
“Berries of the Lands” (berries and roots in the centre) – The residential survivors wanted something, besides land and water, that would connect all 3 nations. We discussed it thoroughly, and decided that berries and roots were one of the few common foods that all 3 nations shared and that would be represented on the medallion.
There are only 4 signed copies in existence.
On Sept 22 2022, all three artists signed 4 copies.
There will be no other copies signed by the artists as a group.
Three of the signed copies are in private collections.
The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
has 1 of the signed copies on public display.
The signatures have been blocked to prevent forgeries
– Live Stream by JD Hawk –
Truth & Reconciliation Day
Sept 30 2022
Sharing my experiences as an artist and how I ended up working on this historical project for the Royal Canadian Mint and the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
FB Live Stream – Downloaded to Youtube
(uncut version)
A proud moment to receive the keepsake coin
photo courtesy – RCM
Left to Right
Jennifer Wood, Marie Lamay, Jason Sikoak, Leticia Spence, JD Hawk, Stephanie Scott
photo courtesy – NCTR
