Men and supporters from throughout the region have gathered in Prince George to observe the annual Moose Hide Campaign and day of fasting to end violence against women and children.
Events, which take place throughout the city, kicked off this morning (Feb. 24) at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC).
The Moose Hide Campaign was started as a grassroots movement by Paul Lacerte and his daughter Raven in 2011 after a moose hunting trip in northwestern B.C.
The campaign sees Indigenous and non-Indigenous men and boys wear a square of moose hide and fast from sunrise until sunset a symbol of demonstrating a commitment to honouring and respecting women and children.
It has since grown from a single recognition to ceremonies across the province and Canada and more than one million moose hide squares have been distributed to communities and organizations across the country.
“At its core, the Moose Hide Campaign is about ending violence towards women and children. It is a movement of Indigenous and non-Indigenous men and boys standing up against gender-based violence,” said Spencer Hammond, Aboriginal Connections Coordinator at UNBC’s First Nations Centre.
“Watching the Moose Hide campaign grow from a small regional gathering focused on ending violence to Indigenous women to the provincial and national stage is nothing short of inspirational.”
Hammond said this is the third year the Moose Hide Campaign has had this kind of scope for the region, and not only has this been the biggest gathering yet, but it continues to grow every year.
“Participating in the campaign is also an act of reconciliation. It’s an acknowledgement of the legacies of colonization, residential schools and the tragic reality of the over 1,200 missing and murdered Indigenous women in Canada.”
The event opened with a traditional welcome from Lheidli T’enneh Elder Marcel Gagnon, as well as opening remarks from Dayi (Chief) Clayton Pountney.
“As we regain stewardship over the territories, we continue to work towards new relationships with Canada and the communities in our territory,” said Dayi Pountney. “We work hard to continue to eliminate the abuse harassment or harm to Indigenous women, and all women or children.”
Kyle Sam, Moose Hide Campaign Lead from the Prince George Native Friendship Centre, performed a song and spoke about the importance of the day.
Kyle Sam performing at the Regional Moosehide Campaign Day of Fasting at UNBC this morning @MoosehidePG @PGMatters #CityofPG pic.twitter.com/L7xdui0FAe
— Hanna Petersen (@hannaepeter) February 24, 2020
“When you find that moose and you provide your family and for your community, that’s honour,” said Sam.
“When you are making the moose hide it’s a lot of hard work and we have a lot of hard work ahead of us to end violence against women and children.”
Founder Paul Lecerte’s sister Cheryl Parsons, a teacher in Fraser Lake, also brought a group of young men from Fraser Lake Elementary-Secondary School, called the 10 men Group who are participating in the fast.
“This is my second time doing the Moose Hide Campaign. Hearing Paul and meeting him and seeing how passionate he was about this campaign helped me get on a better path in life,” says student Coltin Godwin, who is a member of the 10 Men Group.
“If me and my fellow 10 Men can fast for a day to stand up to violence to women and children why can’t we get the whole world to do this and make this world a better place.”
The opening ceremonies ended with a special video from Paul and Raven, who are participating in provincial Moose Hide Campaign activities in Victoria.
“Just to see our young men being warriors and taking a stand showing their commitment to ending violence against women by refraining from eating and drinking is just really meaningful,” said Paul in the video.
“To know you folks are in Prince George hosting your own Moose Hide Campaign event is really special to mean I feel proud to know you folks are up there doing this work,” added Raven.
“You are setting the bar very high for the regional events that could be happening across the country so people will be looking to you folks as leaders in this space.”
The Regional Moose Hide campaign is hosted by UNBC, in partnership with the Lheidli T’enneh Nation, the College of New Caledonia (CNC), the Prince George Native Friendship Centre and the provincial Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, and includes a full day of talks, interactive sessions and displays throughout the community.
