Royal Canadian Mint unveils keepsake to honour residential school survivors and victims
The Royal Canadian Mint, in partnership with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, unveiled a new keepsake on Thursday that represents the truth behind the residential school experience.
The keepsake is aimed at educating Canadians about the impacts of residential, day and boarding schools, with net proceeds going to the Na-mi-quai-ni-mak Community Support Fund. It is also intended to create conversations about the impacts of these schools, the conditions that created them, and how Canadians can turn reflection into reconciliation.
Both sides of the keepsake include imagery that reflects First Nations, Inuit and Métis teachings and art forms. The design comes from a collaboration between artists Leticia Spence, Jason Sikoak, and JD Hawk, as well as survivors.
“Truth and reconciliation isn’t going to be done in a day. It won’t be done tomorrow. It will be done in decades” said Stephanie Scott, a Sixties Scoop survivor and the executive director of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.
To symbolize First Nations culture, one side of the keepsake includes an image of the sun, traditional teepee lodgings, a tikanagan, which is a cradleboard, held by two people, a fireweed flower, and a triangular motif inspired by the designs of rawhide carrying bags.
To represent the Inuit perspective, this side of the keepsake includes images of traditional tattoo line work, the northern lights, a brother and sister, and an ulu, which is a traditional curved knife.
The Métis nation is also represented on this side of the keepsake with images of a Métis sash, a beadwork flower, a bison, and an infinity symbol.
The other side of the keepsake features the words ‘Every Child Matters,’ inscribed in English and French. It also features images of footprints and orange-coloured handprints forming the shape of the sun. Inside the hands is a flame motif from the logo of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. The hands are encircled by a border that represents the waves of the sun’s light and heat.
“This keepsake acknowledges the truth. More than that, it does so through the voices and the vision of the survivors themselves,” Scott said.
“I want to express my deepest appreciation to all the survivors and to the First Nations, Inuit and Métis artists who worked together to create this keepsake.”
By wearing these keepsakes, Canadians can show that they stand with survivors and remember the children who never made it home. It also symbolizes a person’s commitment to learning the truth and carrying out acts of reconciliation.
Marie Lemay, president and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint, said the keepsake is deeply meaningful to everyone at the Mint.
“I don’t think I have the words to express how meaningful it is,” she said.
Lemay said she hopes that every Canadian will be wearing a keepsake with pride.
Those who are interested can purchase a keepsake online.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Former Air Canada employees among suspects identified in gold heist at Pearson airport: police
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
'$6.66 per day': Advocacy groups disheartened by funding in budget for disability benefit
Advocacy groups across Canada are expressing widespread disappointment about the amount of funding earmarked in the 2024 federal budget for the long-awaited Canada Disability Benefit.
BREAKING Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter banned from NBA
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter has been handed a lifetime ban from The National Basketball Association (NBA) following an investigation which found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors, the league says.
Earthquake jolts southern Japan
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 hit southern Japan late on Wednesday, said the Japan Meteorological Agency, without issuing a tsunami warning.
MPs summon ArriveCan contractor to the House to be admonished in rare parliamentary display
Enacting an extraordinarily rarely used parliamentary power, MPs have summoned an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons on Wednesday afternoon to be admonished publicly for failing to answer their questions.
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
Gas prices across Ontario expected to climb to levels not seen since 2022, analyst says
Ontario is going to see a big jump at the pumps later this week as gas prices in the province hit levels not seen in nearly two years, according to one industry analyst.
Ancient skeletons unearthed in France reveal Mafia-style killings
More than 5,500 years ago, two women were tied up and probably buried alive in a ritual sacrifice, using a form of torture associated today with the Italian Mafia, according to an analysis of skeletons discovered at an archeological site in southwest France.
Paul McCartney and John Lennon’s sons have released a single together
A new Lennon and McCartney collaboration is the last thing anybody expected.