The Moose Jaw Police Service (MJPS) and several of its community partners are banding together to take a stand against violence against women and children.
As part of this commitment against sex-based violence, the police service helped launch the inaugural Moose Hide Campaign on Feb. 19 at the police station. The campaign — which originated in British Columbia — is a grassroots movement of Indigenous and non-Indigenous men and boys who stand up against violence toward females and youths.
To signify that officers and other partners are participating in the campaign, a one-inch by one-inch square piece of felt was pinned to shirts and jackets and worn from Feb. 19 to 24.
“Wearing the moose hide signifies your commitment to honour, respect and protect the women and children in your life and to work together with other men and boys to end violence against women and children,” a news release said.
The MJPS has teamed up with several organizations as part of this campaign, such as 15 Wing Military Police, Transition House, John Howard Society, Moose Jaw Literacy Network, Wakamow Manor, both school divisions, and Saskatchewan Polytechnic.
Donna Blondeau, co-ordinator of Victim Services with the MJPS, led the ceremony that kicked off the campaign. She noted this was the first time it had been held in Moose Jaw. She had discovered this initiative while looking online and was so touched by it that she thought it could work here.
While Feb. 24 is the official day for the Moose Hide Campaign, Blondeau noted the police service chose Feb. 19 to launch the initiative since that day worked well for everyone.
Afterward, resident Kayleigh Olson helped Blondeau with a smudging ceremony, where those in attendance could participate in the activity by using their hands to waft smoke over themselves as a form of purification.
Participants then helped pin the piece of moose hide onto the chest of another person.
This year’s event included a voluntary fast from 9:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. the same day. Those who participated were then invited to return to the police station to break the fast with complementary soup and bannock.
For more information visit moosehidecampaign.ca.
