If you’re hoping to get involved in this year’s Moose Hide Campaign Day festivities, we’ve got you covered.
Moose Hide Campaign Day will take place in Victoria on Thursday, May 15th, and will feature key points and activities throughout the day.
For those unfamiliar with this initiative, it’s a day where all Canadians are invited to join together in taking a stand against gender-based violence towards Indigenous women and girls, as well as practical steps towards a collective reconciliation.
The Moose Hide Campaign was co-founded by Raven Lacerte in 2011 when she was only 16-years-old. The other founder was her father, Paul Lacerte, who wanted to support Raven in this important endeavor.
“We really wanted to do something about the amount of violence is happening to women and children and those along the gender continuum across the country,” Raven told Victoria Buzz.
“As an Indigenous woman, I have a special focus on ending violence towards Indigenous women and children…it’s been amazing to play a part in this.”
Raven said that they live up north, close to the Highway of Tears—infamously known for its ties to missing and murdered Indigenous women cases, which added to the urgency.
It was while her and her father were hunting near this area that they decided to use the moose hide and cut it into little squares, turning it into a symbol of respect, healing and solidarity.
“My sisters and I cut up the first 25,000 squares and hand-wrote on little index cards about what we were trying to do, and it started to grow,” she said.
She added that people wear the pins as a reminder of the issue and an everyday commitment to talking about it and actively working towards change.
Since the Moose Hide Campaign’s launch, they’ve handed out more than 7 million squares across the country.
“Violence is just so rampant. If it’s not ourselves directly, it’s somebody we know that is experiencing or has experienced some form of violence…Gender-based violence impacts all of us.”
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In terms of Moose Hide Campaign Day, Raven added that there’s always been a day of ceremony with a walk and/or fast, but people can pick and choose what they do if they wish to show support.
The day includes a sunrise ceremony, keynote speakers, workshops, the walk to the legislature, and the fast-breaking ceremony.
Although the walk started off small—with just 12 individuals walking for the cause—it has grown exponentially and is now something Canadians can get involved in no matter where they live.
In fact, it draws hundreds of thousands of people each year. This year, it will begin at 12 p.m. from the Mungo Martin House to the BC Legislature building, where a few words will be shared from speakers.
“The last couple of years, we had half a million Canadians registered to be a part of the day, and going out for their own walks across the country,” Raven said.
“It’s been incredible to watch it grow.”
This year’s keynote speakers are Elaine Alec, who’s a distinguished author and Indigenous leader renowned for her pivotal work in reconciliation and cultural education; and Michael Kaufman, who’s a distinguished writer, speaker, and activist with over four decades of experience advancing gender equality.
If you cannot partake in the in-person events, there’s a registration for online livestreams to ensure that everyone is included.
Or, if you are hoping to participate in a walk but won’t be in Victoria, there are plenty of areas across Canada that host their own. Don’t spot your city/town? Consider organizing your own!
“However you come to that day is totally welcome, there’s no rule or obligation in that way. It’s an open invitation for anyone that wants to learn more,” said Raven.
For anyone that is uncomfortable with the idea of wearing animal products, they do have synthetic pins available for order as well.
They don’t charge any money for the moose hide or synthetic pins. If people wish to donate, they’re more than welcome to do so, but it’s not required.
Moose Hide Campaign Day
- Where: The walk starts at Mungo Martin House, 475 Belleville Street
- When: Thursday, May 15th—activity time varies, but the walk begins at 12 p.m.
