Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

Governor General David Johnston received this piece of artwork from the Town of Fort Smith when he visited the community on Dec. 9. However, the Governor General's office determined it exceeded the value he could receive as a gift and it was damaged when returned. - NNSL file photo

THEBACHA/FORT SMITH
A gift to the Governor General from the Town of Fort Smith has come to an unfortunate end. The snowshoe with a stained glass image of a caribou - the work of Fort Smith artist Michel (Mike) Labine - was presented to Governor General David Johnston when he visited the

community on Dec. 9.

However, Labine said the Governor General was unable to keep the gift, which was created on commission for the town.

"They returned it to the town saying that the value was in excess of what he was allowed to receive," he said, noting the Governor General's office estimated the gift to be worth in excess of several thousand dollars.

"When they shipped it back, they didn't pack it right and they broke it," Labine said. "So it got destroyed coming home."

The artist said he received a call from the town about a month after the Governor General's visit, asking him to pick up the artwork.

However, Labine said it was broken in five places and, even though he tried, it was unrepairable.

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.