Premier David Eby and other B.C. leaders marked Moose Hide Campaign Day on Wednesday May 15 by urging British Columbians to take action against gender-based violence.
The Indigenous-led movement began more than a decade ago in British Columbia and now spans the country.
Each year, participants fast, join walks, and wear small squares of moose hide to show their commitment to ending violence against women, children, Two-Spirit and gender-diverse people.
Eby said violence remains a serious and preventable issue, especially for Indigenous women, who face significantly higher rates of violence than non-Indigenous women.
“I will wear my moose hide pin and reflect on what more I can do as a father, husband and premier to make British Columbia a place where everyone feels safe,” Eby said.
Public Safety Minister Garry Begg called the campaign a chance to support Indigenous-led approaches and promote meaningful change.
Indigenous Relations Minister Christine Boyle said the day reinforces the importance of standing together, guided by tradition and ceremony.
Gender Equity Parliamentary Secretary Jennifer Blatherwick urged continued efforts to confront the root causes of violence, including colonialism, racism and misogyny.
The province says it will keep working with Indigenous communities to improve safety, support healing, and break the cycle of violence.
The statistics:
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One in two Canadian women has experienced physical or sexual violence since age 16.
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Indigenous women are three times more likely to face spousal violence than non-Indigenous women.
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Indigenous women are six times more likely to be murdered.
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Every 2.5 days, a woman or girl is killed in Canada.
Campaign organizers emphasize that violence affects everyone, and that engaging men and boys is key to creating lasting change.
Stats taken from Learn the Issue – Moose Hide Campaign.
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