The Atikamekw community of Manawan, Quebec has been shocked by allegations that two young boys aged 3 and 5 were severely beaten by other children on the reserve.
Atikamekw Manawan police confirm the young brothers were airlifted out of the community for medical care.
The incident happened on a playground on Tuesday evening and the perpetrators were boys of about 7 or 8 years old.
The 5-year-old boy was reportedly transported to Joliette Hospital and has been released after being treated for his injuries
The 3-year-old boy is reportedly in critical condition at Montreal’s Saint-Justine Hospital and is undergoing emergency surgery. He was forced to swallow sand that affected his lungs, but is expected to recover.
Atikamekw Grand Chief Constant Awashish said the community is working together following the incident and that help and support is going to be given to everyone involved.
He said many in the community are distressed by what happened.
“Of course, it's very unusual. What I remember from other people when I talk to them is it’s never happened before with young children like that. Right now I'm kind of shocked, the community is shocked. We’re trying to figure out how to cope with this and what happened, how can this happen in the community,” Constant Awashish
Atikamekw first nation of Manawan is located 300 km north of Montreal in the Lanaudiere region.
The community has a population of just over 2,000 people.
