Storytelling has long been a rich oral tradition for Aboriginal cultures. It is said that from the first snowfall to the first clap of thunder, elders impart history, traditions and life lessons to the younger generation through rich narratives filled with allegories and imagery. For the Aboriginal Peoples, these tales – and the messages they convey – form deep connections to who they are, how they relate to the world, their ceremonial rituals and even everyday life.

Often, these stories revolve around characters that possess physical and personality traits akin to humans, animals, plants and even the elements. For the Anishinaabe, an important cultural character is Nanaboozhoo; as a shapeshifting spirit, he teaches right from wrong through his adventures while offering lessons on how to live in harmony with the natural world.

Special features:
  •   Coin was designed by Cyril Assiniboine, a renowned self taught Ojibwa artist and a pow wow dancer who enjoys illustrating the cultural traditions of his people.
  •   Coin captures a pivotal scene within the story, in which the hero is pursued by angry Thunderbirds after he has taken feathers from their young.
  •   Each coin in this unique new series pays homage to the time-honoured cultural tradition of Aboriginal storytelling through its depictions of the beloved Ojibwa Legend of Nanaboozhoo.

Designed by Canadian artist Cyril Assiniboine, who is Ojibwa, your coin depicts Nanaboozhoo climbing the highest cliff to get to the Thunderbirds’ nest, where he has plucked feathers from the young birds (seen in the upper right side of the image). But the fully grown Thunderbirds have since returned to the nest and are angered by Nanaboozhoo’s actions. With lightning flashing from a Thunderbird’s eye and thunder rolling from its beak, Nanaboozhoo quickly flees from the Thunderbird’s wrath while clutching the feather-adorned arrow in his right hand.

In very limited mintages, the Legend of Nanaboozhoo releases include:

• 2014 Portrait of Nanaboozhoo 1/10 oz Pure Platinum Coin
• 2014 Portrait of Nanaboozhoo Pure Gold Coin
• 2014 Nanaboozhoo and the Thunderbird 1 oz Fine Silver Coin
• 2014 Legend of Nanaboozhoo 1 oz Fine Silver Coin
• 2014 Nanaboozhoo and the Thunderbird’s Nest 1 oz Fine Silver Coin