2011 $3 Aboriginal Art - Family Scene - Pure Silver Coin with Gold Plating - in capsule only

Life in the Arctic poses innumerable challenges, not least of which is keeping infants safe and warm from the unpredictable elements. The amauti is an Inuit parka designed for women, and a wonderful example of Inuit ingenuity in the face of their extremely cold environment. It has a large hood and pouch to carry a young child and to free up a mother's hands. The amauti also has loose shoulders so the baby can be moved from the back to the front. Its greatest benefit is the physical contact it provides between mother and child; the closeness and affection that are a treasured cornerstone of Inuit society.

Although its style and decoration may vary between communities and its material has evolved away from traditional animal sources, the amauti's overall design has changed little over the centuries. It remains a common sight in the Arctic to this day.