UCW supports the Moose Hide Campaign

By Brendan Clugston, May 14, 2024

It’s that time of year again to take part in the Moose Hide Campaign.

The Moose Hide Campaign is a BC-born, Indigenous-led grassroots movement to engage men and boys to stand up to end violence towards women and children.

This year, Moose Hide Campaign Day will take place on Thursday, May 16. A livestream event originating from Victoria will feature keynote speaker Dr. Marie Wilson, messages from Raven and Paul Lacerte and more information on how we can all work together to end gender-based violence in Canada.

As an ambassador campus, University Canada West is once again supporting the campaign. Student Life will be distributing free Moose Hide pins from our Student Life Assistant booths, found at the Vancouver House Student Lounges, and at the West Pender Reception until Friday, May 17.

Observing the campaign day and wearing the moose hide pin represents a commitment to honouring, respecting and protecting women and children, as well as working to end gender-based violence and promote reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

The Moose Hide Campaign seeks to engage men and boys in taking action against violence and challenging harmful masculine norms that contribute to violence, in order to create a culture of healthy masculinity.

The inspiration for the campaign came in 2011 when co-founders Paul Lacerte and his daughter Raven were reflecting on the sorrow of the Highway of Tears in northern British Columbia. The Highway of Tears is a 725-kilometre corridor of highway between Prince George and Prince Rupert, where many Indigenous women have been reported missing and murdered since the 1970s.

Mourning the tragedy and loss of life, Paul and Raven brought down a moose that would help feed the family for the winter season and decided to use its hide to create the very first moose hide pins. Since then, the campaign has grown into a nation-wide anti-violence movement with thousands of participating communities, organizations and institutions. More than three million pins have been distributed across the country since its inception.

“I am full of gratitude and hope and love for everybody that has supported the campaign so far. I am excited to see where it goes from here,” says Raven Lacerte, Moose Hide Campaign Co-Founder.

The Moose Hide Campaign offers many ways to get involved:

• Wear and share the moose hide pin
• Organize a Moose Hide Campaign event or kiosk in your organization, school or community
• Volunteer your time or donate to the non-profit campaign
• Participate in Moose Hide Campaign education activities: K-12 and post-secondary
• Learn how to help share our message by attending a Community Champions webinar

To learn more about the Moose Hide Campaign, see moosehidecampaign.ca.