"As nurses, we want to build into strong, healthy communities in which all members are safe and can experience shalom (human flourishing)."
—Dr. Sheryl Reimer-Kirkham, Dean of the School of Nursing
The Moose Hide Campaign is a grassroots movement of Indigenous and non-Indigenous men and boys who are standing up against violence towards women and children. It is predicated on the belief that change is possible, and that gender based violence is preventable.
The Campaign was envisioned in 2011 by founders Paul Lacerte and his daughter Raven during a hunting trip on their traditional territory along the “Highway of Tears”, a stretch of highway in northern B.C. where many women have been murdered or gone missing. As they harvested a moose, they had a moment of inspiration: to tan the moose hide and cut it into squares to engage men in efforts to end violence against women and children. Since then, over two million squares have been distributed. The inspiration came from the land, from the loving relationship between a father and daughter, from the stretch of highway where violence has taken so many loved ones, and from the spirit of the moose.
While the campaign still focuses on engaging men and boys, it has grown to engage all Canadians in ending domestic and gender-based violence against women and children. The movement supports the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action, the Calls for Justice of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Engaging with the Moose Hide Campaign helps raise awareness of the issues of domestic and gender-based violence and demonstrates individual and organizational commitments to safe, healthy and inclusive work-spaces.
The TWU School of Nursing participated in the Moose Hide Campaign on February 11th, 2021. As Dr. Sheryl Reimer-Kirkham, Dean of the School of Nursing, shares, Nursing students were invited to pick up a Moose Hide pin and wear it to signify their commitment to honour, respect, and protect the women and children in our communities, and to work together to end violence against women and children. The School hosted a virtual Watch Party of the Canadian film, The Body Remembers when the World Broke Open. Filmed in Vancouver, the movie sensitively deals with themes of trauma, violence, resilience, and kindness in the lives of two Indigenous women. Interested individuals who were not able to join are welcome to sign up for a free CBC Gem account and watch it here.
"As nurses, we want to build into strong, healthy communities in which all members are safe and can experience shalom (human flourishing). To do so, we need education and awareness about how we can best be involved," said Dr. Reimer-Kirkham.
Read about TWU Siya:m Patti Victor and the Moose Hide Campaign here.
Learn more about the Moose Hide Campaign here.
Read the UN Women’s statement on violence against women and girls during COVID-19 here.
More TWU and local resources:
Ishtar Transition Housing Society
About Trinity Western University
Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is Canada’s premier Christian liberal arts university dedicated to equipping students to establish meaningful connections between career, life, and the needs of the world. It is a fully accredited research institution offering liberal arts and sciences, as well as professional schools in business, nursing, education, human kinetics, graduate studies, and arts, media, and culture. It has five campuses and locations: Langley, Richmond-Lansdowne, Richmond-Minoru, Ottawa, and Bellingham, WA. TWU emphasizes academic excellence, research, and student engagement in a vital faith community committed to forming leaders to have a transformational impact on culture. Learn more at www.twu.ca or follow us on Twitter @TrinityWestern, on Facebook and LinkedIn.
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