2019 - $1 - Special Edition Proof Dollar - Louis Riel: Father of Manitoba

In issuing the 2019 Special Edition Proof Dollar, the Royal Canadian Mint acknowledges, honours and celebrates the unique history of the Métis Nation. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to President Clément Chartier of the Métis National Council, President David Chartrand of the Manitoba Metis Federation, and Mr. Norman Fleury, for their guidance and collaboration in this tale of two nations whose histories are intertwined.

This year's special edition proof dollar highlights the contributions of Louis Riel (1844-1885), and those of the Métis Nation, to the story of Canada. A defender of Métis rights and a catalyst for change, Louis Riel was born 175 years ago in Saint-Boniface, in the province he later founded. In fact, it was 150 years ago that the National Committee led by Riel drafted an initial list of rights for the Métis Nation—a declaration in which land claims and language rights were preconditions to Manitoba's entry into Confederation.

This coin, which commemorates Louis Riel's place in history, is a celebration of the cultural legacy of the Métis Nation and its resilience. The struggles of the past haven't disappeared; they continue to echo through generations. There is hope, however, through the acknowledgement of Canada's troubled history and in the recognition of a founding people's sacrifices.

Specifications
No. 174637
Mintage 15,000
Composition 99.99% pure silver
Finish proof
Weight (g) 23.17
Diameter (mm) 36
Edge serrated
Certificate serialized
Face value 1 dollar
Artist David Garneau (reverse), Susanna Blunt (obverse)