From street patrols to landfill camps, Morgan’s Warriors shape their own justice

Morgan’s Warriors, a new group formed in Winnipeg, aims to support individuals experiencing homelessness, particularly women, in the north end of the city. Led by Indigenous women, the group focuses on distributing food, water, and harm reduction supplies, as well as offering emotional support. Their efforts are a response to the tragedy surrounding the deaths of Indigenous women, including Morgan Harris, whose murder by Jeremy Skibicki has prompted widespread community activism and calls for justice.

Morgan’s Warriors begins their patrols after smudging their bright pink vests with sage, symbolizing their commitment to safety and love in a community deeply affected by violence and the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls (MMIWG2S+). The group’s mission is to address gaps in support and provide a beacon of hope in the area where Harris and other victims were known to frequent.

The group’s formation follows a harrowing trial and ongoing searches for the remains of Harris and other victims, with families and activists setting up camps like Camp Morgan outside landfills where bodies are believed to be buried. Despite Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson’s initial refusal to support landfill searches, the new government under Premier Wab Kinew has begun preparations for a search, driven by persistent advocacy from the Indigenous community.

The Winnipeg Police Service’s previous refusal to search the landfills and recent tensions with activists have further fueled calls for an independent inquiry into the handling of the cases and the systemic issues affecting Indigenous communities. The upcoming sentencing of Skibicki and continued activism highlight the urgent need for justice and healing in the face of enduring violence against Indigenous women.