Legion begins quest to replace vandalized monument

Yellowknife’s Royal Canadian Legion is calling for artists to pitch sculpture designs that will honour Canadian veterans as a replacement for the monument damaged this summer.

A sculpture created by Tuktoyaktuk artist Eli Nasogaluak, which had stood between the RCMP detachment and military headquarters since 2005, was destroyed by vandals in early July.

The Legion swiftly promised to replace the damaged sculpture at the time. The branch is covering the cost of materials, artists’ expenses, and research through an ongoing fundraising campaign.

As of Thursday night, the online fundraiser had raised about $2,000 of its $25,000 goal. The Legion is also collecting cash donations at its bar.

Artists have until November 1 to submit designs for review by a committee.

Originally, the Legion planned to have the replacement sculpture erected by Remembrance Day. Instead, the ambition now is for the plans and project timeline to be published on November 11.

The chosen designer will then produce and install their sculpture outside Yellowknife’s Joint Task Force (North) building.

Design teams must include one northern artist and one youth, and must submit an application that includes input from a military historian or someone with thorough knowledge of Canadian Forces in the North.

Applications must include a concept proposal, budget, and biographies of each artist involved.

RCMP have not reported finding the culprit, or culprits, associated with the July attack on the previous sculpture.

At the time, Mayor of Yellowknife Rebecca Alty called the vandalism “disappointing and heartbreaking.”