Yellowknife (July 21/06) - The City of Yellowknife has contributed $19,000 to cover the cost of repairing the veteran's memorial statue after vandals damaged the structure.

"The contribution from the city really makes it for the people of Yellowknife," Lloyd Lush, president of the Yellowknife Royal Canadian Legion said during the presentation of the funds.

"The money given by the city came from tax dollars, so everyone has a part of the memorial."

The statue, located in front of the Joint Task Force North headquarters on Veteran's Memorial Drive, was first 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 to build the statue, created by Northern artist Eli Nasogaluak.

Mayor Gordon Van Tighem said the repair money came from the Community Capacity fund.

"The request came from the Legion because they had raised most of the funds and needed to come up with the rest," Van Tighem said.

"The Metis Local 166 and the Yellowknife Metis Council agreed with the city that a memorial to all veterans including aboriginals, was something we should do."

He said then everyone lived happily ever after - or should have.

The statue was vandalized at the back, smashing off a portion of the soldier's heel.

Because Nasogaluak is travelling outside the Territories, they have not been able to assess neither the dollar amount it will take to fix the statue, nor what it will take to fix it.

"We do know however, that Eli will be able to fix it on the spot," Lush said.

"He has his special mixture and equipment."

Lush said Joint Task Force North has thought of fixing a camera on top of their building for 24-hour surveillance of the statue.

To prevent future vandalism of the statue, Lush said they have a very good surveillance system already in place - the people of Yellowknife.

"I believe that now that this has happened they will be watching," Lush said.

"And if they see anyone climbing on the statue or doing anything to it, they will call the RCMP immediately."