Ending violence one square of moose hide at a time

Students at Cambrian College are actively committing themselves to an Indigenous grassroots movement to end violence against women and children through the Moose Hide campaign.

The movement has its roots in British Columbia, and began with Indigenous men inviting all other men to honour, respect, and protect the women and children in their lives, and to support and hold each other accountable to end the cycle of violence.

MooseHideCampaign.ca describes the campaign's origins.

“On an early 2011 August morning, an Aboriginal man named Paul Lacerte and his daughter Raven were hunting moose near the infamous Highway of Tears, a section of highway between Prince George and Prince Rupert, BC, where dozens of women have gone missing or been found murdered.

“They had brought down a moose that would help feed the family for the winter and provide a moose hide for cultural purposes. As the daughter was skinning the moose her father started thinking…They were so near the highway that has brought so much sorrow to the communities along its endless miles, here with his young daughter who deserved a life free of violence…That’s when the idea sprang to life!

“What if they used the moose hide to inspire men to become involved in the movement to end violence towards Aboriginal women and children? Together with family and friends they cut up the moose hide into small squares and started the Moose Hide Campaign.”

Today, more than 35,000 squares of moose hide have been distributed and the Moose Hide Campaign has spread to communities and organizations across Canada.

Although the Moose Hide campaign is not yet well-known in Northern Ontario, male and female students are actively promoting it to other students, staff and faculty.

They’re asking everyone to join them in taking a pledge to stand up against violence, and they’re pinning pieces of moose hide to their jackets and shirts to signify their commitment to the cause.

“This student-driven initiative values compassion and support for men, as well as the women and children in their lives,” said Kelly Senecal, who is a cultural facilitator at Cambrian’s Wabnode Centre for Aboriginal Student Support.

“It is very inspiring to see our students devoting their time and energy to raise awareness about the Moose Hide campaign. They’re making personal commitments to stand up against violence and to be role models in their families and communities, which is both courageous and compassionate.”

The college is supporting the students with the campaign, including with a sacred fire ceremony which took place Thursday morning.

Following Indigenous traditions, at the ceremony, male students may opt to fast for 24 hours to honour their ancestors and to seek strength as they follow through on their commitments.