Moose Hide campaign facts for kids
The Moose Hide Campaign is a special movement in Canada. It brings together Indigenous and non-Indigenous men. They stand up against violence towards women and children. Paul Lacerte and his daughter Raven Lacerte started this campaign in 2011. They make and give out small pins made from moose hide. These pins help people learn about violence against women. Since it began, the campaign has given out over two million pins. It has also helped raise money to stop violence.
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How the Campaign Started
Paul Lacerte and his daughters began the campaign in 2011. Paul went to a meeting about violence against women in Vancouver. He was one of only a few men there. This inspired him to take action. The idea for the Moose Hide Campaign came shortly after. Paul and his daughter Raven were on a hunting trip. They were along British Columbia's Highway of Tears. This highway, British Columbia Highway 16, is between Prince George and Prince Rupert. It is known as a place where many Indigenous women and girls have gone missing or been harmed.
After hunting a moose, Lacerte decided to use its hide. He wanted to inspire men to join the fight against violence. With this first moose hide, and help from family and friends, Lacerte cut 2,500 small squares. These were the first pins for the campaign. In 2018, Sage Lacerte, another daughter of Paul Lacerte, became a leader for the campaign's youth efforts.
About Moose Hide Pins
The campaign creates moose hide pins. They cut small square pieces of moose hide. These pieces are then attached to a safety pin. People wear the pins on their clothes, often on a jacket lapel. Indigenous women make these squares. They are paid for their important work.
The moose hides are donated by traditional Indigenous hunters. These hunters use moose for food and special ceremonies. Sometimes, hides come from animals that have died on Canadian roads. No animals are hunted just for the Moose Hide Campaign. This respects the Indigenous tradition of using every part of an animal. The campaign gives these pins away for free to anyone in Canada who wants one. They also ship the pins for free anywhere in Canada.
What the Pins Mean
The Moose Hide Campaign uses the pins to start conversations. They want to raise awareness about violence towards women. Wearing a pin shows your promise. It means you will honor, respect, and protect women and children. The pin also shows that you stand together with others against gender-based violence.
Learning and Education
The Ten Men Challenge
In April 2017, the Moose Hide Campaign started the Ten Men Challenge. This challenge encourages young men to promise to stand up. They pledge to fight against violence towards women and children.
For the challenge, ten male students from grades nine to eleven volunteer. They fast for a day. Raven and Paul Lacerte launched the first pilot project. It took place at the Fraser Lake Elementary Secondary School. This school has used the program every year since. It helps the Moose Hide Campaign grow. It also shows how people can work together for a better future.
Moose Hide Learning Journey
In 2019, the Moose Hide Campaign launched the Moose Hide Learning Journey. This is an education program for students from kindergarten to grade 12. It is part of a bigger plan to end violence against women and children.
The Moose Hide Learning Journey helps teachers create a good learning space. It also encourages students to learn values. These values help them honor and respect women and children. The online platform for K-12 education offers lesson plans, videos, and other tools. These are for teachers and students. Many schools in British Columbia have tried out this technology. The government of British Columbia helps support this education program.
Moose Hide Day
To show how important the campaign is, the government of British Columbia made February 11 a special day. It is now known as Moose Hide Campaign Day in the province.
Campaign Support
British Columbia Government
In 2018, the Government of British Columbia gave $2 million to support the Moose Hide Campaign.
Newfoundland and Labrador Government
The House of Assembly in Newfoundland and Labrador began supporting the campaign in 2017. Members showed their support by wearing the pins.
