Cochrane ATB Financial was packed with community members, politicians and media on Friday morning for the reveal of Cochrane Dollars - the town’s launch of its very own currency to promote local economy and pride.
Cochrane ATB Financial was packed with community members, politicians and media on Friday morning for the reveal of Cochrane Dollars - the town’s launch of its very own currency to promote local economy and pride.
The images and mugs that made the grade included:
Senator Matthew Henry Cochrane and the Men of Vision statue on the $1 bill represent vision.
James and Christina MacKay, founders of Mackay's Cochrane Ice Cream, and Historic Downtown Main Street on the $2 bill to showcase family business.
Chief Walking Buffalo (Tatanga Mani) and the Grandfather Tree in the Historic Cochrane Ranche on the $5 bill to capture First Nations and nature.
Dr. Andrew Walter Park and the Bow River and Bow River Bridge on the $10 bill to depict community.
Clarence Copithorne and rodeo rider Norman Edge on the $20 bill to show legacy values.
And the commemorate $150 bill depicts Senator Matthew Cochrane, painted by J. Scot Paisley and the Palliser Range painted by Glen Boles - both local artists - to create a theme of art and culture.
“I remember a lot about him because I grew up in his home, ” said Kathleen Poucette, the 80-year-old granddaughter of Chief Walking Buffalo of nearby Morley.
Poucette said her grandfather was a Bearspaw chief who lived until the ripe age of 97 and that it was a “great honour ” to be able to attend a ceremony honouring her late family member.
Coco Powderface, Walking Buffalo's granddaughter and daughter of Bill McLean - the last surviving child of the chief - was on deck to speak on behalf of the late chief’s family, noting that “it’s always been a partnership of the communities - Morley and Cochrane ”.
Rox Edge-Kossowan is the granddaughter of the late Norman Edge, who died in 1996. Kossowan said she and her family live in her grandfather’s old farmhouse and were thrilled to see the town acknowledge the late rodeo man’s legacy.
Artists Paisley and Boles were present for the reveal - both artists were pleased with how their respective artwork will be represented on the bills.
Paisley said his art depicts who a person was through facial expression, body language and gestures.
He believes that late Senator Cochrane would have been “open to change and progress. ”
“He did a lot for Cochrane and the province, ” said Irene Copithorne, 92, the wife of the late Clarence Copithorne who died in 1979. She was very proud to see her late spouse honoured in such a manner.
The reveal was flanked by members of the town’s economic team, led by Robert Kalinovich, members of the non-profit group the Cochrane Monetary Foundation (CMF), town councillors Tara McFadden and Ross Watson, NDP MLA Cameron Westhead, Conservative MP Blake Richards.
Richards touted the initiative as a “great idea ” and thinks Cochrane Dollars is off to a great start with making the local artists and features the central focus.
Westhead said Cochrane Dollars will create spin-offs that will translate to a boost in local economy. He said he is proud of the province for matching grant dollars to get the initial print run off the ground.
A spin-off on the town’s Shop Local campaign, in an effort to support local businesses and to boost the Historic Downtown into a thriving district, Cochrane Dollars is aiming to be a major tourism boost that will keep people thinking about Cochrane, influencing them to spend their dollars in town.
Teresa Spurgeon, owner of natural skin care and green beauty product line Pur Botanics, was the first business owner to sign up through the online applications to participate in the Cochrane Dollars initiative and is also a member on the CMF board.
“I had no idea what I was getting myself into, ” laughed Spurgeon. “It’s a fun way to learn about some history and I think it will bring a lot of people from out of town. ”
For more details or to sign on as a participating business, go to http://www.cochranedollar.ca/
