Gerald Gloade's nickel unveiled at Millbrook First Nation

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

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

"[The beaver] was our first currency, we traded beaver pelts," Gloade said Wednesday 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 the work of a member of their community was chosen. 

"His art will be in the hands of every Canadian. It's a historic day for our community," he said.

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

"I was inspired to re-imagine the beaver from the traditional five-cent coin through the eyes of my own First Nations culture," he said.

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

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