MARCH FOR MARLENE
Vice-chief calls Bird assault ‘unspeakable tragedy’
PRINCE ALBERT — Whoever viciously attacked Marlene Bird is still out there somewhere.
That’s certainly on minds of her loved ones, Montreal Lake Cree Nation Chief Edward Henderson said Thursday.
“Until the individual or individuals are caught, we’re worried about Marlene’s safety,” he said.
Only people whose names are on an approved list are allowed to see Bird at the Edmonton hospital where she remains in recovery.
She is off of life support, but continues to face surgeries and has already had both legs amputated.
The Prince Albert Grand Council and Montreal Lake Cree Nation are offering a $2,000 reward to anyone with information that leads to the conviction of whoever is responsible for Bird’s injuries.
Emergency personnel found Bird, a homeless residential school survi- vor who was known for her gentleness and generosity, outside the Margo Fournier Centre in Prince Albert around 10:20 a.m. on June 1.
At Thursday’s kickoff to the Honouring our Brothers and Sisters Memorial Walk, Prince Albert Grand Chief Ron Michel issued a call to action for people to come forward with information.
“There are far too many people who know what’s happening and are not coming out,” he said.
“There are far too many people that choose to shut their ears. They’re either scared, or they’re totally just ignoring it.”
FSIN vice-chief Kimberly Jonathan condemned the attack, calling it “an unspeakable tragedy that must not be taken lightly.
Indigenous women are nearly three times more likely than nonindigenous women to report being the victim of a violent crime, and acts of violence against them are much more severe, she said.