WINNIPEG — What started as a small number of volunteers passionate about their neighbourhood has since turned into a recognized search group in the province.
The Bear Clan Patrol has received a lot of attention lately after being involved in several missing persons searches, including the search for 2-year-old Chase Martens.
RELATED: ‘He sure made me proud’: Chase Martens’ mom says goodbye
“We were, up until very recently, just the North End’s Bear Clan Patrol,” James Favel said.
“But we have since become Manitoba’s Bear Clan Patrol. We have people asking for our services as far as Victoria and Labrador."
The group was also involved in the search for 17-year-old Cooper Nemeth. The teen didn’t come home after attending a house party and was found dead a week later. The volunteers led a traditional Indigenous smudging ceremony to honour the teen’s life. It was an event some say was historical.
RELATED: Nemeth family thanks Bear Clan Patrol for help with homemade meal
“It was precedent setting, groundbreaking even,” Favel said.
The group has been a part of dozens of missing persons searches whether it’s in rural fields or city streets. In some cases, they search throughout the night.
The patch they wear proudly has become recognized across the province in the last couple of months. But national attention wasn’t the motive of these dedicated volunteers.
“I think that everyone’s noticed a change, not just in the way people are receiving us on the streets but in the activity that’s going on,” Favel said.
The group started about a year and a half ago. Back then about a dozen people would walk the streets of the North End, driven by the pride they have for their neighbourhood.
Even though they say their services are needed in the North End, they won’t say no to offering helping hands when anyone goes missing. Many of them have missing loved ones of their own.
“This is living proof that you can make a difference,” Favel said.
“Show up, it only takes 3 hours a day. And we’re making a difference.”
The Bear Clan plans to continue patrolling the streets of Winnipeg’s North End every Thursday to Sunday evening.
Comments