Did Your Pick for the New $5 Bill Make the Cut?

Who will be the face of the next Canadian $5 bill? We're one step closer to finding out: After polling Canadians, the Bank of Canada (BOC) has narrowed 600 qualifying nominees to a short list of eight notable individuals. BOC Governor Tiff Macklem is now tasked with crowning the winner, but that's not to say we can't ponder our own picks. Which one of these short-listers would you choose?

Pitseolak Ashoona ([c. 1904-1908]–1983)

Pitseolak Ashoona was a self-taught artist whose internationally exhibited drawings and prints offer vivid records of her traditional Inuit semi-nomadic lifestyle in the Eastern Arctic.

Robertine Barry (1863–1910)

The first female French Canadian journalist, Robertine Barry (A.K.A. “Françoise"), was a staunch activist, advocating for many social justice causes, including women's rights.

Binaaswi (1888–1952)

The most highly-decorated Indigenous soldier in Canadian history, Binaaswi (A.K.A. Francis Pegahmagabow) is a veteran of the First World War. He would go on to become a leader with the Wasauksing First Nation and an advocate for Indigenous rights.

Won Alexander Cumyow (1861–1955)

The first known Chinese-Canadian born in Canada, police interpreter Won Alexander Cumyow played a key role in positively transforming racialized attitudes toward Chinese people in Canada.

Terry Fox (1958–1981)

After cancer took part of his right leg, Terry Fox raised money and national awareness for cancer research with his cross-Canada 42-km daily run. Though cancer ultimately took his life, his legacy lives on with yearly runs across the country.

Lotta Hitschmanova (1909–1990)

Among Canada's earliest grassroots humanitarians, Czech-born refugee Lotta Hitschmanova is the founder of the Unitarian Service Committee of Canada in and inspired others to give to people in need, especially children, in various regions of the world.

Isapo-muxika (c. 1830–1890)

Recognized for his use of diplomacy and advocating for peace between Indigenous nations and with settlers, Isapo-muxika (A.K.A. Sahpo Muxika or Crowfoot) was a leader of the Blackfoot Confederacy. He was instrumental in key historical moments such as the Treaty 7 negotiations.

Onondeyoh (1861–1934)

An activist and an advocate for the protection and expansion of Indigenous rights, Mohawk chief Onondeyoh (A.K.A. Frederick Ogilvie Loft), a First World War veteran, founded the first pan-Canadian Indigenous organization in December 1918, which helped lay the groundwork for contemporary Canadian Indigenous rights organizations.

Who do you think should be featured on Canada's new $5 bill? Leave a comment* to share your top picks.

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