Source: National Association of Friendship Centres

Moose Hide Campaign Annual Gathering of Men

Standing Together to End Violence Towards Aboriginal Women and Children

VICTORIA, BC--(Marketwired - February 06, 2015) - Esquimalt and Songhees Territory - On February 12, 2015 Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal men will meet for the fourth consecutive year in Victoria, BC to stand together to end violence towards Aboriginal women and children. The Moose Hide campaign's Annual "Gathering of Men" will take place at the Hotel Grand Pacific from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. There will be a peaceful march to the BC Legislature and a Press Conference will be held at 12:30 pm to publicly address the issue of violence towards Aboriginal women and children.

Statistically, Aboriginal women are three times more likely to experience domestic violence than non-Aboriginal women, and three times more likely than non-Aboriginal women to be killed by someone they know. Often domestic and sexual violence is not reported out fear and shame. Across Canada there are 1,200 cases of murdered and missing Aboriginal women. In BC, violence against women is an issue affecting all ethnicities and backgrounds including along the infamous and tragic Highway of Tears. The Moose Hide Campaign is calling on men across the country to stand up for those experiencing violence and to create an environment where it is safe to talk about the issue.

"Our goal is to re-shape our society to one where women are treated with love and respect at all times," says Paul Lacerte, Moose Hide Campaign founder and Executive Director of the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres. "The level of violence towards women in this country is shocking and totally unacceptable. We need to do more as men to support each other in our healing and also hold each other accountable for our actions. We need to stop taking a backseat on this issue and help drive the change together."

This year the Moose Hide Campaign is also holding a National One Day Fast on February 12, 2015 in partnership with the Walking With Our Sisters movement (www.walkingwithoursisters.ca). Fasting is a practice common to many cultures in which individuals abstain from eating and drinking in order to demonstrate a deep commitment to a cause or to their loved ones. The National One Day Fast is intended to strengthen the campaign to end violence towards Aboriginal women and children and to help heal the trauma that has resulted from this abuse. 

The press conference will be held on the front steps of the BC Legislature on Thursday, February 12 at 12:30 pm where speakers will include First Nations leaders and representatives of the BC Government. Speeches will address the urgent need for healing, measurable change, and the importance of working together to end violence towards women and children.

We urge all Canadians and British Columbians to consider how they can be a part of this change in their communities and ensure that women and children in those communities are safe and treated with love and respect.

For more information on the Moose Hide Campaign visit www.moosehidecampaign.ca

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Contact Information:

For further information contact:
Paul Lacerte
Executive Director
BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres
Ph. 250-388-5522