BCIT News: Moose Hide Campaign

People across the country will be sporting a Moose Hide patch on February 11 as part of the annual campaign to end violence against Indigenous women and children. Indigenous and non-Indigenous men are being asked to pin the patch to their jackets to show solidarity and support.

According to the campaign website, wearing the patch signifies a “commitment to honour, respect, and protect the women and children in your life and to work together to end violence against women and children.”

Zaa Joseph, Indigenous advisor at the British Columbia Institute of Technology, is wearing a Moose Hide patch today to honour his ancestors and support the women in his life. He says spreading awareness is a big part of the campaign.

“Signalling in the digital realm right now, wearing a Moose Hide pin, showing your support; opens up peoples awareness and maybe leads to a question being asked.”

Indigenous women and girls in Canada are five times more likely to experience violence than any other group. They make up 16 per cent of all female homicide victims, and 11 per cent of missing women, despite Indigenous people making up just over four per cent of the population of Canada.

“These are not just statistics, these are people: mothers, daughters, aunts and nieces; Elders, colleagues and friends. For the last 10 years, the Moose Hide campaign has worked to end this violence.” – John Horgan, Premiere of B.C.

In the past, the Moose Hide campaign has been marked with marches or events across Canada. Like many others, they’ve had to move to virtual programming.

“These events have taken place in Victoria, Ottawa, and that’s not happening as much. Something like the Moose Hide itself that you can wear and show support. I think that’s a great way visually when you’re on a Zoom call or webinar to show support.” – Zaa Joseph, Indigenous Advisor at BCIT

Joseph also notes that there is significance in modifying or decorating your pin. He has added beads to remember his ancestors and those who were lost to violence.

“Looking at the ways that this campaign can inspire and motivate change, bring awareness to those acts of violence in the past, it looks to provide an insight into how the change can happen – whether that’s through healing and ceremony or education.”

The patches themselves are mailed out by the Moose Hide campaign in groups of 25. The hide is sourced from hunters who hunt for food or ceremonial purposes, then prepared by Indigenous women who receive a source of income.