Inuk artist still seeking compensation for carvings broken during air travel

An Inuk carver still doesn't know if he'll be compensated for damage to two polar bear carvings that occurred while they were being flown to the Great Northern Arts Festival in Inuvik, N.W.T., this past summer.

Kuzy Curley says his two pieces were worth $20,000 combined.

Curley checked the two unfinished polar bear carvings, each weighing 31 kilograms or more, as baggage on Canadian North flights between Ottawa and Inuvik.

One arrived broken in half and the other had its nose and ear broken off.

Curley blames Canadian North but Kelly Lewis, spokesperson for the airline, says it did "an immediate and thorough investigation" and the matter is closed.

In an email to CBC, Lewis stated interviews with the employees directly involved in both the receipt and handling of Curley's baggage were part of the investigation.

Lewis wrote, "as part of its mandate to ensure the security of Canada's air transportation network, CATSA [Canadian Air Transport Security Authority] conducts periodic screening of checked bags prior to transport."

He stated that because it was CATSA staff that opened Curley's baggage for inspection, Curley has to make a claim with that agency directly.

Curley said he is submitting a claim to CATSA but still wants answers from Canadian North.

"I think it's ignorance. They're neglecting my art and I'm not happy about it. It's something I think about every day since it happened."

Lewis said the airline recommends fragile items such as artwork not be transported as checked baggage.

"There are stages within the ground handling process that are outside of our control, such as airport baggage systems and third party inspections, and therefore the airline is not liable for any damage that may occur while in transit."