The fourth annual campaign encourages men to stand up against violence faced by Aboriginal women. Moose Hide has been gaining momentum across the country as male role models speak out that violence is never acceptable. Here are Raven’s thoughts about her dad and the meaning of the Moose Hide Campaign:

(flickr.com)

Each year he teaches us a little more and lets us take part in the hunting process. Some of the process includes finding, shooting, gutting and skinning the moose. Because we are still not strong enough to hold up the rifle, we help in other ways like skinning the moose. A few years ago my dad and I were out hunting and as I was skinning the moose, he got the idea to start a Moose Hide Campaign.

At the beginning, it was just an idea to start a movement to end violence against aboriginal women and children. So my sisters and I cut up some moose hide into small squares and attached them with a safety pin to a little card that explained the campaign. The idea was to start handing the pieces of moose hide out to men, explain what they were about in hope that they would wear it and share it with other men.

My dad started the movement by wearing it and talking about it. Before we knew it, it had become a real campaign that people were supporting. I had no idea that it would become so empowering and inspire so many men to take a stand against violence towards women and children. Now I see men, of all ages, wearing the moose hide on their clothes. I feel so proud and honored when I see people spreading the moose hide campaign and standing up for the women in their lives, and knowing that it was my dad that started the change.

Each year around Valentine’s Day there is an event held in Victoria for the Moose Hide Campaign. Men gather and share stories, and then they all march to the front steps of the Legislature buildings. They drum and sing and use the culture to create a positive and uplifting atmosphere, to create the necessary change that we desperately need.

I hope that this campaign continues to spread, and encourages men across the country to recognize the importance of taking action and stopping the cycle of pain and negativity."

Learn more, http://www.newsroom.gov.bc.ca/2015/02/mlas-support-moose-hide-campaign-against-violence.html