Moose Hide: Wearing the Hide, Breaking the Silence
Every spring, people across Canada gather on May 15 to mark Moose Hide Campaign Day, a day of ceremony and action that calls each of us to stand up against gender-based violence. At first glance, the pin is simple: a small square of tanned moose hide. But when you look more closely, you realize it represents something much deeper, a personal and collective commitment to honour, protect, and advocate for Indigenous women, children, and gender-diverse people across Canada.
The story begins in 2021, in northern BC, along the Highway of Tears, a place known for its haunting legacy of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. During a hunting trip on their traditional territory, Paul Lacerte and his daughter, Raven, had the idea that would spark a nationwide movement. As they harvested a moose to feed their family and carry on cultural teachings, they felt a deep connection to their ancestors and the land. That moose hide became more than a resource. It became a symbol. A way to take a stand. A way to turn grief into action.
Since then, the campaign has grown to include people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. What began as a grassroots initiative has blossomed into a national ceremony embraced by schools, workplaces, governments, and First Nations. Each year, the Moose Hide Campaign invites us to participate in a day of fasting, learning, and reflection. Wearing the pin shows your commitment to honour, respect, and protect Indigenous women and children.
The statistics are sobering. One in three women in Canada experiences unwanted sexual behavior in her lifetime. While anyone can be affected by sexual assault, the risk is not equal. Indigenous women face unique and heightened vulnerabilities due to the ongoing impacts of colonization, racism, and systemic injustice. Compared to non-Indigenous women, Indigenous women are three times more likely to experience sexual assault. Their experiences are often distinct from those of both non-Indigenous women and Indigenous men. For too long, this crisis has been met with silence, indifference, or empty promises. The Moose Hide Campaign reminds us that this violence is not inevitable. It is the result of systems that have long devalued women, erased Indigenous voices, and allowed colonialism and patriarchy to thrive. But it also reminds us that change is possible if we choose to act.
This campaign is a powerful example of action rooted in ceremony. On Moose Hide Campaign Day, many people fast from sunrise to sunset. Fasting is an Indigenous practice of humility and spiritual clarity, an offering made in solidarity with those who have been harmed. It’s not required, but it’s welcomed. Whether or not you fast, participating in the day means joining others across the country in listening, learning, and reflecting on how we can create a future free from violence.
The moose hide pin, distributed for free to those who want to stand with the campaign, serves as both a personal reminder and a public statement. It’s a quiet, visible way to spark conversation and raise awareness. More than five million pins have been shared across Canada, and the campaign hopes to reach ten million in the coming years.
Participating doesn’t require a huge time commitment or a perfect understanding. It asks for compassion, a willingness to listen, and the courage to act. Wear the pin. Share what you’ve learned. Start conversations with your friends, family, and communities. Healing is a collective process, and as the campaign beautifully reminds us, we are all medicine.
You can register for the livestream of Moose Hide Campaign Day on May 15, 2025, and participate in the day’s events, including the sunrise ceremony, workshops, and a walk to end violence. Pins are available at each OCSU office. Everyone is welcome. Everyone is needed.
From a single square of moose hide to a national movement, this campaign shows us what’s possible when we act with heart and honour. Let this be the year we speak louder, care deeper, and stand taller, for each other and the future we deserve.