Storytellers are vital to the Inuit way of life, for they pass down traditions like hunting and akpik (cloudberry) picking, as well as the cultural understanding of those skills—the why and how they fit into the seasonal cycles of the natural world where every living thing is interconnected.

That concept is beautifully illustrated on this fine silver coin’s reverse, which presents a visual story of interconnectedness viewed from above—a story that reflects the Inuit view of our place within nature, not apart from it.

In the artist’s own words:

"This straggler [the goose], though he is following the sounds and sights of the flock ahead of it, may have decided to linger on the mud flats a bit longer than its companions. He may have found an extra plentiful area of seagrass to nibble on. However, it knows that the tide is rising, and the grass will be underwater, until the sea ebbs once more. It heard the alarm cry of the geese that flew in before it, so it took a slightly different route, just in case there was trouble ahead. It notices the family heading towards their boat, so it is relieved to have chosen a different route, though the immediate danger has passed... also, it notices the black bear, moving up around the point, possibly looking for a quieter feeding spot. The Akpik are plentiful this year, like all the other berries, when they ripen, the geese will grow fat as they prepare for their long journey south. It flies over some smaller patches of Akpik, in its short flight inland, but as these were more exposed to the elements on the side of this hill, they have not grown as well as the ones in abundance next to the pond it calls home. As it flies, it takes note of the patch of berries just inside the saltwater grass, that it may return to feast on later. This is a good year."

An inspiring visual story that connects land, sea and sky.