Niagara College is joining Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians across the country on May 12 with a Moose Hide Campaign event to help end violence against women and children.
Hosted by NC’s Indigenous Education and Student Rights and Responsibilities Office (SRRO), in partnership with Brock University, the day-long, drop-in event will be held outdoors at the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake (Indigenous Gardens).
NC Student Services Director Lianne Gagnon noted that May 12 will be the College’s first involvement with the Moose Hide Campaign.
“Similar to our Red Dress initiatives, we want to bring more awareness about violence perpetrated against Indigenous women and girls, and the Moose Hide Campaign event is an opportunity for all people to participate and take a stand against this violence,” said Gagnon. “It was a grassroots effort started by a small group of men and boys who were alarmed by this violence, and it has grown to become a national ceremony that calls for an end to violence against all women and children.
“By partnering with Brock University, the two higher education institutions in Niagara, we are poised to educate our communities about this and encourage our students and colleagues to participate.”
Student Rights and Responsibilities Manager Hafsah Shaikh said that the SRRO will join the Moose Hide Campaign event to support reconciliation and to help end violence against all women and children
“Sexual and gender-based violence can affect anyone; however, we know that the rate of sexual assault against Indigenous women and girls is approximately three times higher than among non-Indigenous women,” said Shaikh. “It takes a community to speak out about violence to eliminate it, and to stand with those who have experienced these crimes.”
Moose Hide Campaign event at NC
May 12, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (drop-in)
Indigenous Gardens, Daniel J. Patterson Campus, NOTL (near the lagoons / Wetland trail, closest to parking lot B6)
The event will involve staff from Niagara College (Indigenous Education and SRRO), Brock University (Aboriginal Recruitment/Liaison Officer Sam Charal), and the community.
It will begin at 10 a.m. with a sacred fire, prior to a gathering kick-off at 11 a.m. After a welcome from NC and Brock staff members (11:15 a.m.), Indigenous Elder and NC alumnus Dave Labbe will speak (11:30 a.m.), followed by NC’s Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Coordinator Elysia Dardarian (11:45 a.m.).
At noon, the event will pause for lunch. Strawberries, blueberries and cedar tea will be provided. Guests are encouraged to bring their own food or may leave and return at 1 p.m.
At 1 p.m. participants will take a pledge and receive a moose hide pin as a symbol of their commitment to honour, respect and protect the women and children in their lives, to work to end gender-based violence and take action toward reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. The afternoon will also include a tobacco /semma ties workshop (2 p.m.), drumming (3 p.m.) and a question/discussion period (4 p.m.), before the closing of the fire (4:30 p.m.).
The event is open to all staff, students, alumni and the community. Participants are welcome to drop-in any time their schedule allows, without the expectation to attend the entire event.
Related initiatives
The Moose Hide Campaign event follows the College’s observance of Red Dress Day on May 5, when flags were lowered and initiatives took place at both the Welland and Daniel J. Patterson Campus as a tribute to lives lost and forever impacted by colonial violence.
Niagara College has been dedicated to raising awareness of MMIWG2S through its involvement in the REDress project since 2021, in partnership with Brock University. Most recently, the College hosted dress displays and a virtual event for the REDress Project in mid-February with outdoor displays and a virtual event in partnership with Brock University.
Moose Hide Campaign Day in Canada
Moose Hide Campaign Day is part of an initiative across Canada, dedicated to connecting, learning and sharing. Participants learn from speakers, have an opportunity to share experiences and join workshops. It’s also a day of ceremony. Participants are invited to fast from sunrise to sunset in a #FastToEndVioldence.
The campaign was founded on the side of the Highway of Tears in British Columbia, in response to the injustices and violence faced by women and children in Canada, particularly those who are Indigenous.
Learn more about the Moose Hide Campaign at moosehidecampaign.ca
