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Marlene Bird to be remembered at memorial feast and round dance

Nov 28, 2018 | 4:00 PM

Family and friends will gather in Prince Albert this week to remember Marlene Bird at a memorial event that has also become part of the healing process for Bird’s long-time partner.

Patrick LaVallee is helping to organize the feast and round dance this Friday at the Prince Albert Indian Metis Friendship Centre. The event comes one year after Bird died in hospital at the age of 50.

Bird was severely injured in an attack in 2014 that left her beaten and badly burned. The attack damaged Bird’s eyesight and forced the amputation of both her legs. Following the attack, LaVallee helped care for her, both in Prince Albert and north of the city in Timber Bay, where they have relatives.

LaVallee’s sister said her older brother has been working hard to improve his life since Bird’s passing. Speaking from her home in British Columbia, Linda LaVallee said Patrick has been keeping away from alcohol, is getting counselling, and is busy making tote bags to sell at the event this week to help cover costs.

She said Patrick’s family has been supporting him as he deals with Bird’s death. 

“Patrick had wanted to do something special for her, and I knew that he couldn’t afford it,” Linda LaVallee said. “He learned to sew and he made bags for this event … he has not gone back to alcohol yet at this time and he’s been doing well, looking after everybody.”

Friday’s event at the Friendship Centre is open to the public. A pipe ceremony and traditional feast is planned for 5 p.m. followed by the round dance. A concession will be on site with proceeds going toward the school in Timber Bay. 

LaVallee said the event will be her brother’s first round dance, and while he’s a bit nervous, he’s also excited. She said Bird spoke of forgiveness following her attack and organizers want to share that message at the event.

“I keep telling him, Marlene was a big part of people’s lives, and a lot of people will come,” she said. “It’s healing when you come there, and that’s what we need him to do is heal.”

Janet Carriere, executive director with the IMFC is confident the gym will be full at the centre Friday night. She said the event is an important one for the community.

“Marlene and Patrick were here a lot, for various reasons,” Carriere said. “Sometimes just to come and hang out and have coffee but sometimes they needed help with different things, sometimes they just needed an ear to listen.”

Carriere said Patrick is still grieving but making the tote bags and helping to organize the event seems to be therapeutic for him.

“He’s doing something for her,” she added. “We always want to do something to honour those that we love, and lots of times we’re helpless in that.”

Leslie Ivan Black pleaded guilty to attempted murder in connection with the attack on Bird. Black was sentenced to 16 years in jail in 2017, followed by a 10-year supervision order.

 

Charlene.tebbutt@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @CharleneTebbutt