The Moose Hide Campaign is an Indigenous-led grassroots movement aimed at engaging men and boys in taking a stand against violence toward women and children in Canada.
Founded in 2011 in British Columbia, it's now a national movement. It involves people of all genders and backgrounds who wear a small patch of moose hide as a symbol of their committment to honour, respect, and protect the women and children in their lives.
Over seven million moose hide pins have been sent across the country to workplaces, schools, and communities. It's a day of ceremony, reflection, and action. It's a chance to come together and stand in solidarity.
In Dauphin, the Friendship Centre and Assiniboine College will be hosting an event on Thursday. The event starts at 10:00 a.m. at the Friendship Centre. Individuals who wish to smudge beforehand will have the chance to do so. At 10:30, there will be opening ceremonies, including remarks from an elder.
Representatives from Assiniboine College and the Friendship Centre will also speak.
"At 11:00, we're going to go for a community walk. It'll be roughly 45 minutes long," said Cassandra Kostelnyk. "We will make a loop and end back at the Friendship Centre. Once that's complete, we will have booths that showcase different resources and different information on domestic violence."
A free community BBQ is to follow at 12:30.
Between 2011 and 2021, police reported 1,125 gender-related homicides of women and girls in Canada. 66% were by an intimate partner, 28% were a family member, and 5% were a friend or acquaintance.
From 2014 to 2022, intimate partner sexual assault increased 163%. Intimate partner physical assault increased 14%, and indecent or harassing communications increased 38%.
"With Assiniboine College, we take pride in our work in Indigenous communities," ended Kostelnyk. "This is definitely something we hold near and dear to our hearts. We think that it's important to raise awareness. Every person, not just a woman, but a man, woman, and child should have resources and support behind them if they do unfortunately find themselves in a violent situation."
The event was hosted last year in Dauphin. While the outdoor component of it was rained out, they held the festivities inside.
Thursday's event is open to everyone.
"I think it's an important day to show there's recognition and a step towards that reconciliation," ended Kostelnyk. "In specific terms, we want Indigenous women and children to know they're not in this alone. The more people that know about it and can tell the signs, the more likely that society in general will be able to help out."
In 2023, 26,777 children and youth, aged 17 and younger, were victims of police-reported family violence. More than three in five were girls.
