Lakelands Public Health is marking Moose Hide Campaign Day by encouraging residents across the region to learn more about the Indigenous led movement focused on ending violence against women, children and people across the gender continuum.
The Moose Hide Campaign began in 2011 after Paul Lacerte and his daughter Raven harvested a moose while hunting near British Columbia’s Highway of Tears, an area long associated with missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.
Community worker Elaine McCarthy with Lakelands Public Health says the campaign has grown into a national, strength based movement focused on awareness, education and healing.
McCarthy says wearing the small square moose hide pin represents a commitment to honour, respect and protect vulnerable people while encouraging conversations around violence prevention.
She says the four corners of the square pin symbolize interrupting violence, responding to violence, preventing violence and healing from violence.
McCarthy says one of the campaign’s strengths is its focus on positive education and community connection.
Lakelands Public Health staff across Peterborough, Lindsay, Halliburton and Port Hope are sharing campaign resources and encouraging residents to explore the Moose Hide Campaign website.
McCarthy says the pin itself carries an important message.
McCarthy says the Moose Hide Campaign website includes interactive tools and age appropriate educational resources designed for everyone from kindergarten students to adults.
She says Lakelands Public Health hopes to continue expanding its involvement with the campaign in future years through larger community events and partnerships focused on education, safety and reconciliation.
(Written by Joseph Goden with files from John Brenner)
