Yukon Mint To Release Two 2019 Gold Coins; Announces Contest Winners
Press Release
Whitehorse, Yukon February 26th: the Yukon Mint Corporation (Yukon Mint™) is pleased to announce the winners of both the Kaska gold coin design and Yukon gold coin design contest. Artist Dennis Shorty is the Kaska gold coin design winner with his original sketch titled Kaska Kayeh (Kaska Land). Artist Gord Peter won the Yukon contest with his original carving titled Aha ta Da (Eagle Man). Two designs of .9999 gold coins will be produced in a variety of sizes by the Yukon Mint for 2019.
The Yukon Mint™ sought proposals from artists to design the coins and will now work with the winning artists to transform their work into .9999 gold coins, produced with green gold from the Yukon, Canada. The final designs will be unveiled upon completion of the gold coins and will be available for sale in a variety of sizes. For information and sales inquiries on the 2018 and 2019 coin collections please visit www.yukonmint.com.
President Janet Lee-Sheriff comments, “We want to thank everyone who submitted their designs. We congratulate the winners, Dennis Shorty and Gord Peter, both incredibly talented and accomplished artists who submitted excellent pieces. It is an honour to work with such amazing artists from the Yukon territory of Canada. We also need to acknowledge Golden Predator Mining Corp.’s 3 Aces project in the Kaska traditional territory which provides green gold to the Yukon Mint from the chemical-free bulk sample completed on the project.”
Sale of the .9999 gold coins will commence once the design is unveiled in the spring of 2019. For more information please contact info@yukonmint.com.
WINNER – KASKA GOLD COIN: Kaska Kayeh – an original sketch by Artist Dennis Shorty
When we drum, the drum represents our connection to Mother earth. We drum to honor our animals with the drum made from their hides. When we drum we honor the trees and the land with the frame made of wood. When we hold the drum our arm becomes the umbilical cord to Mother earth and we connect with her. Our heartbeat and Mother earth’s heartbeat become one. The winning design celebrates the connection between the Kaska people, the drum and the land.
About Dennis Shorty
DENNIS SHORTY is of Kaska heritage, born on the land and lived most of his life near Ross River, Yukon.
By watching his grandfather and father, Dennis became interested in art which is a spiritual path for him and a way to communicate with his ancestors. Dennis carves in natural materials including copper, moose, caribou and deer antler, musk ox, sheep horn and wood and achieves his refined and detailed imagery with the use of a variety of hand and power tools. Dennis has won numerous awards and travelled extensively showcasing his talents. Dennis is also a musician and began writing and composing songs in his language, Kaska, in 2009. He created the music duo, Dena Zagi ,with his partner Jennifer Frohling, and they also produce jewelry together. Dennis’ work is in the Yukon Permanent Art Collection, the Governor General of Canada Collection and private collections across the world. His work and full biography can be found at: www.dennis-shorty .com
WINNER – YUKON GOLD COIN: Aha ta Da (Eagle Man) – a carving by Carver Gord Peter
Aha ta Da is an original bison skull carving created from materials found near Gord’s cabin near the Ketza River. The carving represents the wolf and crow clans of the Kaska Dena giving thanks to the land and Creator. The Kaska people are forever intertwined and connected to land that has sustained them for many generations. The original carving is held in a private collection.
About Gordon Peter
GORD PETER is of Kaska heritage and has been carving since the early 1980’s – learning the art from Elder Mac Peter, Charlie Dick and other Kaska carvers that are still continuing the tradition. Gord’s work includes a seven foot marble memorial of Dena Cho, a moose antler mask for the 2008 Canada Winter games and many pieces in private collections. His preferred materials for carving include moose antlers, marble, birch and ivory. Gord lives in Ross River, Yukon with his wife Rose.
About the Yukon Mint™ – The story of Yukon gold coins starts with the Yukon Mint™.
The Yukon Mint™ was formed in 2017 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Golden Predator Mining Corp. which provides green gold from its 3 Aces Project located in the Kaska Nation’s traditional territory in Southeast Yukon, Canada. The vital bulk sample exploration tool test processes material in the Yukon without the use of chemicals creating local benefits and knowledge along with the green gold to create
.9999 Yukon gold coins. The Yukon Mint™ is focused on creating coins that represent the Yukon in almost every aspect, from raw material to design and works in partnership to ensure local communities benefit from mining and exploration projects. In 2018 the Yukon Mint commenced sales of its first gold coin and continues to expand its collection of Yukon and Kaska coins.
For more information on the Yukon Mint or Golden Predator, please see www.yukonmint.com or www.goldenpredator.com.
For additional information:
Janet Lee- Sheriff
President
(778)847-3351
info@yukonmint.com
www.yukonmint.com
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