Ending violence against women and children: Grand Chief Dumas supports the National Moose Hide Campaign
October 17, 2018
Treaty One Territory, Manitoba
alexpapineau
Treaty One Territory, MB – Grand Chief Arlen Dumas of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) will be fasting on October 18, 2018, to show solidarity with the Moose Hide Campaign’s national Day of Fasting. This event brings leaders together to support efforts to end violence against women and children.
The National Moose Hide Campaign was created byPaul Lacerte, a member of the Nadleh Whut’en First Nation, and his daughter Raven. The father-daughter duo was hunting moose near the infamous Highway of Tears in British Columbia in 2011. They had brought down a moose to help feed their family for the winter and provide a moose hide for cultural purposes. Raven and her father realized how close they were to the highway that has brought so much sorrow to communities. Paul knew his young daughter deserved a life free of violence. An idea came to them—they decided to use the moose hide to inspire men to become involved in the movement to end violence towards Indigenous women and children.
The moose hide was cut into small squares; this action started the Moose Hide Campaign. Today more than one million squares of moose hide have been distributed and the grassroots campaign has spread to communities and organizations across Canada. Local campaigns have started in government offices, colleges, universities, in First Nations, in friendship centres, and within individual Indigenous families.
“First Nations people, especially women, are disproportionate targets of violence,” stated Grand Chief Dumas. “Women are the life givers in our First Nations and communities, and I honour them for the integral roles they play in our society. I encourage other men to join me in fasting on October 18 to stand up against violence against women and children.”
The AMC has been an active participant in the National Inquiry for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. The AMC’s First Nations Family Advocate, Cora Morgan, recently testified at a hearing for the Inquiry in Winnipeg that focused on the effects of the current Child and Family Services system and its relation to violence against women and children. The AMC encourages First Nations and government leaders at all levels to work together to develop a multi-lateral approach to ending violence against First Nations women and children.
Click here to learn more about the Moose Hide Campaign.