Gerald Gloade's nickel unveiled at Millbrook First Nation

When Gerald Gloade found out his illustration of a beaverwas going to be on the 2017 nickel,hewas beyond happy.

The Millbrook First Nation artist'swork was chosen from thousands of entries forthe Royal Canadian Mint's "My Canada, My Inspiration" coin design contest to celebrateCanada's 150th anniversary in 2017.

"[The beaver]was our first currency, we traded beaver pelts," GloadesaidWednesday at the Millbrook Cultural and Heritage Centre, where his winning nickel was unveiled.

Millbrook First Nations proud

Chief Bob Gloade said the entire Millbrook First Nations is proud that thework of a member of their community was chosen.

"His art will be in the hands of everyCanadian. It's ahistoricday for our community," he said.

Gerald Gloade did his work digitally. Hisbeaver is swimmingso it's different than the current nickel design of the sitting beaver.

"Iwas inspired to re-imagine the beaver from the traditional five-centcoin through the eyes of my own First Nations culture," he said.

You'll be jingling the 2017 circulation coins in your pocket nextspring.

• Royal Canadian Mint unveils its 2017 Canada 150 circulation coin series