They joined Bear Clan Patrol in Winnipeg at different times, but with a common purpose – to help their community.
After meeting briefly in 2020, it would be months before Indigenous activists Melissa Normand and George Robinson saw each other again because their shifts walking with Bear Clan Patrol never quite matched up.
That is until Robinson put out a call for walkers on the Bear Clan Facebook page on July 31, 2021 and Normand answered.
“I was like ‘Who is this guy? What is he doing on our page?’ because I’ve been a regular member for many years, and I know everyone and didn’t recognize his name. I pulled it up and went, ‘Oh, it’s him!’”
But Normand was cautious despite feeling a connection.
“I actually offered her a ride,” said Robinson, “I kind of creeped her out, I guess.”
According to Normand, “I shot him down, I was like, ‘I don’t ride with strangers.’”
The two took their time getting to know each another. Normand was busy with her animal rescue and Bear Clan while Robinson was working up north.
But as fate would have it, they ended up falling in love.
“September 18, I asked her to marry me,” said Robinson. “We were married February 11, less than 17 months (later).”
They’re so busy with Camp Morgan at the Brady Road landfill – named for Melissa’s cousin Morgan Harris – the animal rescue and Bear Clan, that the newlyweds don’t know when they’ll have time for a honeymoon.
But they’re going on a special Valentine’s date tonight, adding ink to their matching tattoos.
