This is the fifth year that the North Thompson Aboriginal Cultural Centre Society (NTACCS) in Clearwater will be hosting the annual Moose Hide Campaign in the North Thompson Valley. Although the last year’s event looked somewhat different as organizers opted for a virtual event instead of in-person due to COVID-19 regulations in 2021, the message was the same and just as impactful: “Stop the violence against Aboriginal women and children.”
The Moose Hide Campaign came to be thanks to co-founders Paul Lacerte and his daughter Raven in 2011 when they were hunting together in an area close to the Highway of Tears in northern British Columbia, an area infamous for where many women, particularly Indigenous women, have gone missing or been murdered. The official Moose Hide Campaign website tells that while reflecting on the sorrow of the area they were in, the father-daughter team brought down a moose to help feed their family for the winter.
“We had a moment of inspiration to take that moose hide, tan it, cut it up into little squares and give it to men - as an outward sign of our commitment to end violence against women and children in this country,” reads a statement by Lacerte on the website.
Since then, the campaign has grown to be a recognized nationwide anti-violence movement, with thousands of participating communities, schools and organizations, and more than two million moose hide pins distributed across Canada and North America.
“The momentum garnered from Moose Hide Campaign events continues to create and gain awareness within our North Thompson Valley communities as well,” said NTACCS Executive Director Cindy Wilgosh of Clearwater. “It is an ongoing contributor in starting many conversations about ending violence against women and children.”
Wilgosh explained the Moose Hide Campaign is based on Indigenous cultural teachings, while also encouraging other ways of thinking about masculinity, gender roles and relationships. It offers a path for healing, and the moose hide pins present a reminder by all who wear them that there is a need to address the impact this violence inflicts on Indigenous women and children, and the implicit racism that often accompanies it. The Campaign is a practical way for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians to come together to solve this crisis and take steps towards reconciliation. It was founded on the belief that men and boys need to step up and take action by challenging the behaviour that leads to violence and also encouraging a culture of healthy masculinity.
Normally the campaign would be held in February, but Wilgosh said the provincial campaign was postponed until May 12, so the NTACCS campaign will follow suit.
“We just have a small event up here in Clearwater to create awareness in the North Thompson,” said Wilgosh.“We were planning our event this year for February, but then a couple of weeks ago I was notified they have postponed the provincial Campaign until May 12 in the hopes things will be opened up more by then. Therefore we will also be holding our event in Clearwater on May 12 this year.”
Wilgosh explained NTACCS annually facilitates the Moose Hide Campaign in the North Thompson, but participation in the initiative is not limited to the community of Clearwater. All valley residents are encouraged to participate.
“Because our group is so small we cannot do all of the events every year,” said Wilgosh. “There is the Moose Hide Campaign, The Red Dress Project, The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. We are a little group of organizers, and we have a little committee that is just specific to doing the Moose Hide Campaign. We also fundraise and encourage sponsors to join us. Yellowhead Community Services is a huge supporting partner, as is the Indigenous Early Years program, the Thompson Nicola Regional District, BC Metis Federation, community supporters, and a lot of people and businesses who personally donate.”
She noted the pipeline construction company Banister has pledged volunteer participation in this year’s campaign by their workers, with the company also providing financial support for the North Thompson Moose Hide Campaign.
“Banister will be kicking off their Moose Hide Campaign promotion with company staff starting Feb. 10,” said Wilgosh. “And then they will also be supporting our event on May 12.”
She added NTACCS oversees all of the funds raised for the North Thompson Moose Hide Campaign. In previous years, a free campaign dinner was hosted as well.
“The funds are all kept in a separate budget,” said Wilgosh. “The money raised covers all of the costs for the event, and the costs incurred in promoting awareness about the importance of the campaign and violence against Aboriginal women and children.”
She noted that last year’s online campaign event hosted a virtual colouring contest with prizes paid for by funds NTACCS had on hand at the time, awarding prizes of $50 to $100, as well as numerous gift cards purchased from local merchants.
“In fact I think most of the winners were from Barriere, a few from Clearwater, and one from Blue River,” added Wilgosh.
NTACCS also engages schools, the RCMP and community leaders throughout the year to support the Moose Hide Campaign.
“During our annual event held at the Dutch Lake Community Centre in Clearwater we give out information on the Moose Hide Campaign, The Red Dress Project and other initiatives. We have displays set up, and all through that day people can come in and ask questions,” said Wilgosh, “We have a multitude of information in something like a mini trade show where attendees can physically pick up the information and take it home with them. We also have speakers during the free dinner that evening.”
Wilgosh noted that before the pandemic she regularly travelled throughout the North Thompson Valley to facilitate Aboriginal cultural events such as connection circles and play groups at Yellowhead Community Services, schools, libraries, and a number of other community events in the region.
“All of those events provided contact with families where I could share information, awareness, and invite them to attend our event” said Wilgosh. “We are hoping things will start to open up again this spring, and of course the North Thompson Aboriginal Cultural Centre remains very functional. We also have a gift shop which is open seasonally at the Wells Gray Park Information Centre. One of our board members sits on an Interior Health rural doctors committee, and another one sits on the Kamloops-Thompson School District. With all of our community partners we are involved in organizing the valley Moose Hide Campaign, National Indigenous Peoples Day, Louis Reil Day, Truth and Reconciliation Day, The Red Dress Project, and we coordinate and participate in Canada Day celebrations.
“We want to be able to physically get back out and do things,” she said. “We just have to see how it goes, see what the restrictions are – and we’ll take it from there. The word is getting out, and hopefully by May we’ll have everything organized.”
In the meantime Wilgosh encourages valley residents to learn about the Moose Hide Campaign by going to the provincial website at: https://moosehidecampaign.ca/
She added those that have a moose hide pin should wear it 365 days a year, not just during the campaign.
“When you wear your pin every single day people will ask about it, and that’s your chance to create an awareness and say, ‘Oh, this is what it is, we are standing up against violence against women and children, because that’s not right, and here’s the website, and go to it!’”
For more information about the North Thompson Aboriginal Cultural Centre and the 2022 Moose Hide Campaign contact Cindy Wilgosh by email at ntaboriginal.ccs@gmail.com or go to http://www.aboriginalculture.ca/home.
You can also find the North Thompson Aboriginal Cultural Centre on Facebook.
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