Yellowknife (Jun 16/06) - Vandals have damaged a statue erected last Remembrance Day as a memorial to Canadian veterans.

The vandalism was discovered Wednesday morning by Eli Nasogaluak, the city artist who created the statue. It's not clear when the damage was done.

Lloyd Lush, president of the Yellowknife Royal Canadian Legion, stands in front of the $50, 000 Veteran statue that was put in place by the Legion in honour of Canadian Soldiers. - Emily Watkins/NNSL photo

"I don't know if anyone wanted to insult our veterans, or if it was just for vandalism," said Lloyd Lush, president of the Yellowknife branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. "The statue cost $50,000 to make, but the cost is irrelevant in comparison to the meaning."

The statue is located on Veterans Memorial Drive on the front lawn of the Canadian Forces Joint Task Force North headquarters.

The support on the heel of the statue was completely broken off, and is missing. The bottom part of the heel had been ripped off and the top of the heel was cracked so badly that it was barely hanging on.

Lush said someone had to smash the statue with a rock, as it is very hard, and covered with a bronze glaze.

"They had to have hit it with a rock repeatedly. It's completely solid."

Lush said he rushed to the statue immediately after Nasogaluak called while Legion staff members contacted police.

The statue was unveiled last Nov. 11. It cost $48,000 to build and erect. The Yellowknife Legion contributed $37,000 with $8,000 coming from the Fort Smith Legion and $3,000 from the territorial government.

"It recognizes both men and women who have served in wartime and in peace," said Lush.

The statue has the archangel Michael holding the book of life, hovering over two soldiers on the beach in Normandy and a Canadian female nurse.

The 90 kg monument was created from a winterstone sculpting formulation and finished in bronze. It took Nasogaluak two months to complete.

RCMP Const. Colleen Werrell said police are investigating but have no suspects or leads.

"They didn't come up with anything," said Werrell.

She also says that there is no way to tell when the incident occurred, even though it was noticed Wednesday morning

The Legion will likely have to enlist the help of Nasogaluak to do repairs, although cost hasn't been determined, said Lush.

"It is very disrespectful that somebody would go so low as to damage this."

Both the Legion and Yellowknife Police Detachment ask that if anyone knows or has seen anything in relation to this incident, to please contact them.