Morgan's Warriors outreach group hits the streets with an eye on protecting vulnerable women

Dozens of people donned pink vests Saturday and joined the first-ever walk through the community with a new outreach group led by Indigenous women.  

People of all ages met at St. John's Park on Saturday evening, before making their way through Winnipeg's North End as part of Morgan's Warriors.

The group will hand out food and hygiene kits to people in need, in addition to conducting wellness checks and picking up discarded needles — all while working to curb cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people. 

"I want to be able to be there and spend that time with our women, with our most vulnerable relatives in the community," said co-chair Melissa Robinson. 

"Sometimes you just need to spend that extra time with them to show them that they matter as well."

The group is named in honour of Robinson's cousin, Morgan Harris. Its motto, "helping is healing," is on the patch that adorns all of the group's bright pink vests. Each vest was smudged Saturday before the group set off on foot on their patrol. 

Harris is one of four vulnerable Indigenous women killed by convicted serial killer Jeremy Skibicki. Robinson said part of why the group was founded is to make sure that never happens again. 

She also said she wants to see more shelter spaces in the city that are for women.

"I think of, specifically, my cousin, Morgan. She was preyed upon … by a vicious monster because he had access to her," Robinson said.

"We need to change things. Obviously that way is not working. We need to have an all-women facility where our women can go to and feel safe, and feel like they can unwind," she said.

"You go to some of these shelters, it's a scary situation in there."

Geraldine Shingoose, an elder and advocate better known as "Gramma," called the patrol a "beautiful sight," and said the group was created with love for Harris. Shingoose added that standing among those who came out to be with the group, she felt strength and support.

"It brings them comfort knowing that they can protect other women, because Morgan wasn't protected," she said. "One patrol could make a difference." 

Shingoose said the interactions with people the group meets during walks through the community might help them learn more information about one of Skibicki's victims, whose identity remains unknown.

She was given the name Mashkode Bizhiki'ikwe, or Buffalo Woman, by community leaders. She was believed to be in her 20s and Indigenous.

"Just bringing out information on her, I think it will really [help]," said Shingoose. "Not just her, but other missing MMIW … girls, men and boys that are missing, I think that will help." 

Before the group left on an hours-long walk, Robinson told them the organization meant more to her than anything, and reminded everyone the work they'll be doing is important.

Robinson also said it'll be different every time they go out in the community, but that everyone they meet along the way deserves to be acknowledged. 

As for the future of Morgan's Warriors, Robinson is aiming for the group to be out in the community five days a week. 

Morgan's Warriors is now also incorporated, and the patrol group is in the early stages of opening a bank account that Robinson hopes people will eventually be able to donate money to. There's also a more pressing need for supplies like water to give out to community members amidst Winnipeg's scorching heat, she said.

Harris's youngest daughter, Elle, is co-chairing the group alongside Robinson.

"She was made to do this work," said Robinson.

"I'm not getting any younger," she said. "So, I would like to see her come in, take over and be able to build that relationship with community as well."