Somewhere out there in Canada, a million dollars’ worth of treasure is waiting to be found. Buried in a secret spot, 217 gleaming one-ounce gold coins lie sealed away in metal containers, guarded not by pirates or ancient curses, but by a riddle in the form of a 13-stanza poem.

The challenge, launched this summer by a group of mining publishers, is more than a contest—it’s a modern-day treasure hunt stretching from coast to coast. The grand prize chest holds about one million dollars in gold, while a dozen smaller caches—each valued around twenty-seven thousand—are also up for grabs. Every hidden container holds a unique code that can be redeemed for the coins once it’s discovered.

The hunt began on August 13, 2025, and runs until the end of 2026. The rules are straightforward: no purchase is required, only Canadians 18 or older can play, and the prizes are hidden on public land where anyone can safely walk. No ropes, scuba gear, or shovels are needed. Instead, participants are asked to pack their wits, some patience, and a sense of adventure.

Clues are the heart of the quest. The poem paints a trail with cryptic references—phoenixes, zinc-tinted waters, whispers beneath the surface. An early September hint teased hunters to think about reflections on still water, warning that what you see may not reveal what lies beneath. Each month, new clues are released by The Northern Miner and its partner sites, with subscribers getting first crack at them.

The organizers make it clear: this is a hunt for cleverness, not recklessness. Treasure seekers are reminded to respect the wilderness, leave no trace, and avoid disturbing sacred or historical sites. Every prize is placed where it can be reached safely, and once a container is found, winners only need to snap a photo, enter the code, and step into the spotlight to claim their gold.

It’s a story that feels like it leapt off the pages of an adventure novel—except this time, the map is real, the clues are live, and the treasure is worth its weight in gold. Until the final bell rings on December 31, 2026, the question hangs over every hiker’s head and every riddle-solver’s notebook: who will strike gold first in the Great Canadian Treasure Hunt?

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