Aija Komangapik says she hopes a piece of her art featured on a new $20 silver coin showcases the joyful and funny side of Inuit life.

The coin, recently issued by the Royal Canadian Mint, features an Inuk mother who represents Nunavut. She's dancing in the midnight sun with a large amauti spread out behind her, filled with smaller people who represent Nunavummiut.

The mint released the coin to commemorate Nunavut's 25th anniversary.

said Komangapik, describing it as like when a baby is in an amauti and becomes soothed by the beat of its mother's heart.

Komangapik is originally from Iqaluit but moved to Quebec when she was 12 to live with her father. She is now based in Ottawa, where she works at the Isaruit Inuit Arts Centre.

The 25-year-old grew up surrounded by art as a child. Her father is an artist and her mother is a former dancer. Komangapik said being surrounded by creativity was integral to the person she grew up to become.

She said she prefers to create whimsical art because often the most popular art and myths among non-Inuit are stark and dark, dealing with themes of adventure.

she said.

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'We are happy people': Artist chosen to design coin puts joy on display(https://nunatsiaq.com/stories/article/we-are-happy-people-artist-chosen-to-design-coin-puts-joy-on-display/)