By Tammy Raycraft,
Bruce Peninsula Press
Local Indigenous artist Mark Nadjiwan from Three Trees Art recently had the pleasure of designing artwork and stories for the Royal Canadian Mint.
The process started in November of 2024 when Nadjiwan received a phone call from the Mint, saying they wanted to work with him to create 3 designs for a series of fine silver $15 coins.
This is something that is usually done through a competition, according to Nadjiwan, but they had waived the competition and wanted to work directly with him. Nadjiwan does not typically do commissions, as he has only done 3 in his whole career.
“It’s the Royal Canadian Mint,” he said. “I couldn’t say no.”
While Nadjiwan typically creates one piece a year, he was able to design the 3 coins in about two and a half months, having them finished in January of 2025. Each coin features a clan animal – the bear, the otter and the crane.
The first coin, which was released on March 31 is the Sandhill Crane. While the bear and the otter were inspired from existing poses Nadjiwan had previously designed, the crane was a brand-new design.
In the Saugeen Ojibway Nation, the Sandhill Crane was tasked with communication with those outside of the community. The crane is known for its powerful call that can be heard from kilometers away. Nadjiwan found this fitting as the coin is available worldwide to anyone.
The bear is a protector and a guardian. According to Nadjiwan, some communities are aligning various departments within administrations, like police and law enforcement, with traditional clan animal meanings like the bear. Also known as a medicine animal, the bear is very knowledgeable about plants and is a teacher in that way. The bear coin will be released in June 2026.
The otter will be released in October 2026. Nadjiwan chose the otter as traditionally it represents a medicine animal, a sacred, and a healing animal. Otters are known to be playful, which is one of the ways they are healing. “In these times that are clearly dark and heavy, to be reminded of lightness and playfulness and to make space for that in our lives,” said Nadjiwan.
Each coin has its own bio which appear on the mint website. Nadjiwan wishes to acknowledge Indigenous legal scholar, and fellow Nawash community member John Borrows for agreeing to review and approve all of the writing.
Nadjiwan views his work as reconciliatory in nature and hopes that these coins and their stories start conversations, reaching a broader audience globally. He said he was very impressed with the mint and what they were able to do with his work.
Nadjiwan hopes for the future that these animals are still around, and their stories are still being shared with the world. “Let’s hope that if it’s 100 years or 500 years from now that they are still actually around,” he said.
These coins and their stories can be found on the mints website, under new releases in the shop tab.
To learn more about Mark Nadjiwan and his art visit www.threetreesart.com
