2025

The Legend of the Dreamcatcher

Royal Canadian Mint

The reverse design by Anishinaabe artist Emily Kewageshig features a representation of the dreamcatcher as a symbol of love and protection, with elements reflecting the Anishinaabe worldview that emphasizes interconnectedness. Surrounded by flowers representing healing and wigwams representing community, a matriarch protects her child through the creation of a dreamcatcher, positioned at the top. She is seen nurturing her child within the form of the Eagle, who carries prayers and messages up to the Creator (Gchi Manidoo) and returns with the gifts of peace and harmony. The obverse features the effigy of His Majesty King Charles III by Canadian artist Steven Rosati.

In the artist’s words: “Within the design, the matriarch looks over the young child, she heals the child through her gift of creation—the creation of the dreamcatcher. The woman grows beautiful flowers that represent healing and good medicine. The Eagle teaches us about love, and what it means to be strong and honourable. The Eagle is one of the highest-flying birds, it carries our prayers and requests up to the sky to Gchi-Manidoo (the Creator), and in return, brings us peace and harmony. The elements within the design are interconnected: the people, the animals, the trees and plants. The sunrise of the new day brings hope and reminds us that with each new day, we are granted an opportunity to live our best lives and use our teachings in a good way. The symbol and stories of the dreamcatcher will forever live on in the Ojibwe culture.” – Emily Kewageshig, Artist

“Dreamcatchers are a timeless symbol of unconditional love and protection. They remind me of my childhood and they bring back memories of my early days of creating, weaving the sinew and stringing the beads and feathers below. We carry stories such as the one of the dreamcatcher into the future to keep our children protected, they are so special and important to our culture and traditions.” – Emily Kewageshig, Artist