Dave Sullivan
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Aug 24/01) - Yellowknife could join a growing list of animal-crazy cities by putting up concrete or fibreglass ravens.

The idea of erecting fake bears to hold garbage was tossed around in spring, but now, many on Yellowknife's Civic Pride committee are leaning toward the Northern raven, that harmless gobbler of everything and anything, instead.

The idea may have promise. Toronto has enjoyed a certain amount of fame through its moose statues and of course, Chicago, Calgary and Zurich have their cows.

One problem with settling on ravens, says Dave McCann of the Pride committee, is that reproducing ravens' skinny legs in statue form could make them vulnerable to vandals.

In Edmonton, two men were recently charged with removing testicles from 20 of 32 life-sized fibreglass bison that were painted to represent different countries for the city's recent world track and field championships.

The Yellowknife Pride group committee met Aug. 16 to brainstorm.

Members decided an art competition would be the best way to come up with a decorative trash bin.

The committee is looking for something attractive that will also help reduce Yellowknife's garbage problem. It's worst in spring, when melted snow unveils tons of litter and dog poop throughout the city.

"Visitors really notice that and even residents are fed up," McCann says.

"We want to use art to create a buzz."

The committee is putting together some specifications to outline features the artistic receptacles will need. For instance, they have to be easy to empty.

"We'll then call for submissions and ask for mock-ups," McCann said.

The Civic Pride group is looking for cash contributions to cover the costs, as a mould can run $5,000.