Who is Daphne Odjig?
Born in Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory on Manitoulin Island, Odjig grew up surrounded by storytelling and carving traditions passed down by her grandfather, Jonas Odjig. She went on to become a groundbreaking painter, illustrator, and activist who helped redefine how Indigenous art was seen in Canada and around the world.
Over a career that spanned more than five decades, Odjig created everything from minimalist line sketches to massive, vividly coloured paintings reflecting First Nations culture and history. She also co-founded Professional Native Indian Artists Inc., alongside fellow art legends like Norval Morrisseau and Alex Janvier, pushing for recognition, funding, and space in major galleries.
Odjig is the first woman visual artist to have her work honoured on a commemorative circulation coin.
What the coin looks like
The new toonie features imagery adapted from Odjig's 1977 piece The Folk Singer. At the centre is a female figure holding a drum, surrounded by bold shapes and rich colour. On the outer rim, the Mint engraved Odjig's stylized drawing of a fisher (the anglicized version of her family name), which also appeared in her 1978 work The Indian in Transition.
The obverse shows King Charles III, in his first year on Canadian coinage.
The flipside of the Daphne Odjig $2 commemorative circulation coin.Royal Canadian Mint
Of the three million coins entering circulation, two million are colourized, while one million are in a traditional uncoloured finish.
How to get one
Daphne Odjig $2 commemorative circulation coin.Royal Canadian Mint
You won't need to buy anything special to get your hands on the Odjig toonie. It'll show up naturally in circulation as banks and businesses replenish their coin rolls. But with only three million minted, it may be worth hanging onto the first one you find.
For collectors, the Mint is also releasing:
- A two-coin keepsake card with both colourized and uncoloured versions.
- Special wrap rolls of 25 coins each.
- A $20 fine silver collector coin featuring The Folk Singer framed with a bird motif.
All are available now through the Mint's website or boutiques.
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