BBC Audio Morgan's Warriors: The matriarch on a mission to protect
In 2024 Jeremy Skibicki was given four life sentences for the murders of Morgan Harris, Marcedes Myran, Rebecca Contois and Ashlee Shingoose. When the verdict was announced, Melissa swore she would do all she could to stop this happening again. She formed a group called Morgan's Warriors, walking the streets where all these women were preyed upon.
Reporter Brandi Morin has been to Winnipeg for Outlook to tell Melissa's story. This is just one chapter in a life that has always been about holding up those around her, often while surviving blow after blow. Melissa was recently made a Pipe Carrier by indigenous elders - a position honouring wisdom and ongoing spiritual leadership - but her journey here has been long.
Melissa's story includes the impact of suicide and violence. But's not just been about survival, it's the tale of a matriarch finding her power, in her family and her community.
If you'd like to tell us what you think, or share your experiences, please email us at outlook@bbc.com or send a voice note to WhatsApp +44 330 678 2707
Presenter: Asya Fouks
Reporter: Brandi Morin
Producer: Helen Fitzhenry
(Image: Melissa Robinson in front of Brady Landfill at Camp Morgan, Winnipeg, Canada, 27 September 2023. Credit: The Washington Post via Getty Images)
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First-cousin marriages were once quite common in Europe, especially among the elite. She says: 'There were no guests, no flowers. 'Michael had cold feet the night before; he was sensitive and was freaking out but he loved me so he did it anyway. 'When we uploaded the wedding video to Facebook, someone said that it wasn't the place to post that, but other family said congratulations.' The couple later started an online petition calling for marriage between cousins to be made legal. It was met with more backlash, but Angie felt it was important to have their voices heard. A few months later, Angie fell pregnant but sadly miscarried at 10 weeks. She says: 'It felt cruel, like a moment for the haters to say, 'See? That's what you get.'' Genetic testing later revealed that while Angie was a carrier of cystic fibrosis, Michael wasn't, confirming there were no genetic risks to pregnancy. Soon after, Angie discovered she was carrying again, and in May 2020, their son Eric was born. I realised we were hurting people but I was so full of gusto and enthusiasm, I didn't want to give Michael up Angie Pen Angie says: 'He was perfect. We were smitten.' But just 14 months later, in July 2021, and after a long-term battle with drug addiction, Michael tragically died of an overdose, leaving Angie heartbroken. She is now trying to build a life without her soulmate. She says: 'I'll always tell Eric, who is now five, about his dad. 'Just last month, for the first time, Eric suddenly said to me, 'Daddy is your cousin', so I took out a Beatrix Potter book in which Benjamin Bunny marries his cousin. 'I'd bought it when I was pregnant, ready for the day Eric would start asking questions as I always wanted to be honest with him. 'We read the book together and he was fine. If he has more questions, of course I'll answer them.' Angie is now admin of a Facebook group for cousins in relationships and is continuing to petition to change the law. She adds: 'Love is love and should be celebrated. 'I loved Michael deeply and am grateful for the time we had together. 'People try to make out that our relationship was wrong and dirty, but it was pure and wonderful. I have no regrets.'
