Both of 47-year-old Marlene Bird’s legs had to be amputated after she was badly burned by unknown assailants in Prince Albert, Sask.
A homeless woman from Prince Albert, Sask., will remain in an Edmonton hospital for another five to six weeks as she recovers from a vicious attack.
Both of 47-year-old Marlene Bird's legs had to be amputated after she was badly burned by unknown assailants. She still faces more surgery.
Donna Brooks of the Prince Albert YWCA says three relatives have gone to Edmonton to be with Bird.
Brooks describes Bird as a regular at the homeless shelter in Prince Albert. She says Bird is known for her kindness and generosity on the streets. "She did receive a residential school settlement at the time those were being handed out and she actually ended up giving most of it away," says Brooks.
Police believe the attack happened between midnight and 10 a.m. on June 1 but so far they have no suspects.
So far, about $7,000 has been raised through online donations for Bird and her family but Brooks says there is more that can be done.
"They can raise awareness of the plight of the homeless, they can raise awareness of the missing and murdered aboriginal women, lobby their politicians, volunteer at a shelter," says Brooks.
"Was it a gang initiation? Was it an attack against women? Was it an attack against homeless people? Those are questions we are all asking ourselves around this case."