83-year-old Elder allegedly attacked in Winnipeg’s North End

Following an alleged vicious attack on an Elder in Winnipeg’s North End Tuesday afternoon, First Nation leaders in Manitoba are calling for immediate action to address the drug crisis in Manitoba.

“Elders are sacred, they are the most important people in our indigenous societies, and this is totally and completely unacceptable,” said Chief Angela Levasseur, Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation.

“Something like this better never happen again.”

The family of Elder Victoria Comeau says the 83-year-old was walking to a grocery store near her apartment on Elgin Avenue around 1 p.m. on Tuesday when she was attacked by an unknown suspect. Her son Joseph Fourre, who has dealt with addiction himself, believes the suspect was looking for money to buy drugs.

“Broad daylight, to brutally beat an elderly woman like that, it’s not right,” said Joseph Fourre, the son of Elder Victoria Comeau.

“When we’re in that state we hurt people to get what we want, that’s the power of addiction. That young man who attacked my mother had a demon in him that needed to be fed.”

Comeau suffered injuries including internal bleeding and a shattered pelvis. Fourre says drug-related activity in this area is not uncommon due to the housing first project across the street.

“We need to bring this awareness that our communities and our neighbourhoods are not being safe under the present strategies that the government is implementing in regards to gaining control of the drug crisis that we have in our city,” said Fourre.

Levasseur adds, “This whole idea of harm reduction is not working. All that’s happening is that those who unfortunately live with addictions are being given opportunities to use freely.”

Winnipeg police are investigating the attack but have not yet provided any details.