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On May 16, Albertans across the province are invited to take practical and tangible steps to end violence against women, children, and all those along the gender continuum in their communities.
Gender-based violence continues to be a serious issue in Canada – 44 per cent of women have experienced intimate partner violence since the age of 15, according to 2018 data from Statistics Canada. That number jumps to 61 per cent among Indigenous women.
This violence is not only unacceptable but entirely preventable, and the Moose Hide Campaign has made it its mission to bring the change that is needed.
Founded in 2011 by the father-daughter duo of Paul and Raven Lacerte of Lake Babine Nation, the Moose Hide Campaign is a grassroots movement that invites all people, organizations and levels of government to speak up against violence, to encourage healthy relationships and to create workplaces and communities that are safer and more inclusive.
"Domestic and gender-based violence is a real crisis in Canada," said Raven Lacerte. "Moose Hide Campaign Day is an opportunity to come together in ceremony, take action, and raise our collective voices to say that the status quo is no longer acceptable. We ask all Canadians to join us on May 16 to learn more about the issue and how each one of us has the power to make change in our community."
Here are three ways that you can get involved this May, and do your part to create positive change:
1. Wear a Moose Hide pin
A cornerstone of the campaign is the conversation-starting moose hide pin – a bright orange square that represents Indigenous medicine and healing. Each moose hide pin has been shown to spark at least five conversations about the issue.
Moose hide pins are free to order online and can also be picked up in person from select TELUS stores beginning May 1. TELUS was one of the first multi-year corporate sponsors to support the Moose Hide Campaign with funding, resources and platforms to reach more people, both at TELUS and across the communities it serves. This partnership is one way TELUS is responding to the 231 Calls for Justice, and demonstrates the technology company’s longstanding commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.
2. Join a walk in your community
Moose Hide Campaign walks and ceremonies are being organized in Calgary, Edmonton and neighbouring communities for Albertans who are curious to learn more, or who are ready to do their part to make their communities and workplaces safer.
Malcolm Jubinville is one of the volunteers leading a walk in Calgary. After learning about the movement through his work at TELUS, he began to reflect more deeply on what he, personally, could do about it.
“For me, it's about, how can I be a better dad? How can I be a better husband? How can I be an advocate for women around me?” he said.
Jubinville said part of what makes the Moose Hide Campaign such a powerful movement is that you don’t need to have all the answers – you just have to want to be part of the solution.
“I'll be the first to say that I'm not an expert in Moose Hide. I'm still very much learning, and growing and walking that path for myself,” Jubinville said. “I'm hoping that by leading by example, being present, and open and honest in discussion on the walk, that will hopefully influence and even inspire others to want to do the same.”
3. Think about how you can share the message in your circles
Besides wearing your pin year-round, think about how you can share this message with people in your immediate circle – with your friends, people in your community, or at work.
As an example, TELUS is hosting an internal conversation series to help its team members learn more about the campaign, and to create space for respectful and productive conversations about how to lead with empathy and celebrate inclusion.
Members of the Moose Hide Campaign have helped facilitate these sessions and are always looking for more community champions who can help raise awareness and encourage participation in their communities. You can learn more about how to get involved at moosehidecampaign.ca.