New mural at Iqaluit's hospital upsets some residents

Some people in Iqaluit aren't happy about a new mural design that covers original Inuit artwork at the Qikiqtani Regional Hospital. 

The original design on the old wing of the building was a black silhouette of a dog musher with a team of five dogs. Now a new design of a large dog has been added to the mural, framing the original artist's work.

Iqaluit resident and former mayor Bryan Pearson says "abject horror" is how he feels about the new design.

Pearson says the mural was originally painted by Marie Manson in 1963 when the hospital first opened.

"That was a really powerful time of change in the area," says Iqaluit resident Bethany Scott. She says an important part of history has been damaged.

"To think that we've lost a statement or an image that an artist made from that time is a loss to the community," Scott says.

Pearson says it was disrespectful to paint over Hanson's art and he wants the mural changed back.

"Well they have no choice, they have to because that's a valid piece of art... There are many people in Iqaluit who are very conscious about art, because this is an art community."

In an email to CBC, the artist of the new mural, Jonathan Cruz, says he was hired by Nunavut's department of community and government services.

Cruz says he sees the new design as a tribute to the original artist, but says the mural is still a work in progress.

He says it would be okay with him if someone tried to revive the original artwork.