Residents of a West Kootenay village are raising funds to erect a statue in memory of a wild turkey that they say brought joy to their community during the difficult times of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tina the turkey became a local celebrity soon after first appearing in Nakusp, B.C., in late 2020, according to village Coun. Dolly Edwards.
“She just kind of became our town mascot,” Edwards told CBC’s The Early Edition on Monday.
After Tina died in February 2022, some locals decided they should do something to recognize the bird that left a big mark on their village, which has a population of about 1,500.
An artist has now been found to immortalize the turkey hen at a location near the post office in Nakusp, which is located around 125 kilometres east of Kelowna, B.C.
Tina was curious and friendly, said Edwards. She frequented local businesses, hanging around the entrances and poking her head in, even making it inside the post office one day.
She could often be found playing with the children at the local school, Edwards said.
“You’d go to the school to pick up your kids and the turkey would be there and the kids would be chasing her around,” she said.
Edwards said Tina brought the community together — even having her own Facebook page where people could share photos and anecdotes of her — and provided some much needed lighthearted fun during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tina was often on the streets, stepping out and forcing cars to slow down, Edwards said — and it was that fearlessness that ultimately led to her demise, when she was struck by a vehicle one early morning in February 2022.
Shortly after Tina’s death, resident Sharon Starratt began raising funds for a statue in the turkey’s memory.
“A lot of people commented on our community Facebook page about how it would be nice to do something to recognize her as something that brought our town together during a difficult time,” said Starratt.
Starratt has found a local artist to make the sculpture and secured a location in front of the post office, one of Tina’s favourite places to loiter.
So far around $2,000 has been raised, but another $10,000 will be required to see the project through. Starratt says a newly formed fundraising committee is looking at new ways to secure the money.
“She was something unique,” said Starratt. “She really brightened our day.”