Neil Stonechild's best friend 'disappointed' by art installation

Last week, an ice sculpture dedicated to Neil Stonechild made its debut at Remai Modern, but not everyone is happy with the art installation.

Jeff Crowe was Neil Stonechild's best friend and he said he's "disappointed" with the piece.

He posted a video on Facebook of his reaction, saying it bothered him that the sculpture doesn't feature Stonechild's full name.

"The ice represents that he froze to death, I understand that, but to me, I'm a very little disappointed because it doesn't even have his last name on it," said Crowe, adding he could only see the letters S and D in the work.

"So I'm quite upset because it's almost like you're hiding his last name."

Neil Stonechild was 17 years old when he froze to death on the outskirts of Saskatoon in 1990. Stonechild's death led to an RCMP investigation, a judicial inquiry, and the firing of two police officers.

Freeze was first made in 2006 for Nuit Blanche in Toronto by renowned Anishinaabe artist Rebecca Belmore and her partner Osvaldo Yero.

Rebecca Belmore sent CBC a statement explaining the sculpture. 

"The letters in Freeze are etched out, they are made of air, they are there and they are not there," she stated. "The sun, the wind and the coming spring will melt the ice, and the blocks will topple, potentially making other letters visible for a short time. The ice will eventually become water and his name will be free. This work was not intended to be a monument, it was meant to make very clear how Neil Stonechild lost his life."

Belmore also reached out to Crowe. They spoke over the phone and he said he doesn't hold any grudges.

"I appreciate that she did come talk to me. We did talk and I said, 'I understand where you're coming from.' Art… is supposed to provoke, it's supposed to engage conversation, and obviously it did."

In a written statement, Remai Modern defended Belmore, saying her work brings attention to difficult issues like violence against Indigenous people.

"Neil's death remains a raw and painful memory for those who loved him and for many in the community," the statement reads. "Our hearts go out to Jeff Crowe, who lost his good friend Neil... Remai Modern aims to be a place where difficult conversations can take place, uncensored, and people can share their voices."

The exhibition runs until May 5.

With files from Saskatoon Morning