Moose Hide walkers hit Brandon streets

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This article was published 17/05/2024 (869 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The sound of drums led the way down Princess Avenue as about 100 people participated in the Walk to End Violence, an event founded by the Moose Hide Campaign. Assiniboine Community College and the Brandon Urban Aboriginal Peoples’ Council partnered for a second year to co-host the walk. At the end of the event, organizers hosted a barbecue for participants.

The Moose Hide Campaign is a grassroots, Indigenous-led campaign that began in British Columbia several years ago and has spread across the country. It advocates for the involvement of men and boys in ending violence against women and girls, although organizers like Kris Desjarlais emphasized the importance of universal commitment to the cause.

“It’s a grassroots initiative, but it’s Indigenous and non-Indigenous, led by men, although everyone can participate — women and children, aunties and uncles, and cousins, and so on and so forth,” he said.

As director of Indigenous education at ACC, Desjarlais became involved with the campaign last year when ACC became official campaign ambassadors. In addition to fostering a reconciliatory and inclusive culture across ACC campuses, he said that the campaign allows them to “support and be part of community.”

“I like the day because it’s about taking responsibility for our actions as men in protecting women and children. But also, it’s an opportunity to recognize that there aren’t enough support programs and services for men to become better versions of themselves,” said Desjarlais, who is also the city councillor for Ward 2.

Natashia Marion, Indigenous community co-ordinator for BUAPC, carried a photo on the walk showing four generations of her family — her and her daughter, and her mother and grandmother.

“We have all suffered domestic violence. I, myself, was in a 15-year abusive relationship. And me and my daughter dealt with that, and my mother and my grandmother all had some form of violence in their own relationships. So this one hits close to home,” Marion said.

“Because my (mother) and nôhkom (grandmother) are in the spirit world … I was walking for them and the cause.”

Marion said she was happy to share her story because she believes silence is more damaging. She smiled, adding that she has begun “reawakening the culture” that has been “sleeping” in her for many years. Organizing events like these through her role at BUAPC, she said, allows her to not only have a career, but a lifestyle within the community she has called home for more than 20 years.

Jason Gobeil, a member of Akicita Cante Waste (Good-hearted Warriors) men’s group, also expressed his belief in the importance of community.

“I’m here to support community … It’s an opportunity for men to really talk about the importance of our roles here in community, and in society. And not only that, the roles that we play at our home fires,” said Gobeil, a former school trustee who is currently outreach co-ordinator for the Westman provincial cabinet office.

“My son also wears (a Moose Hide pin) on his jacket,” he said. “A couple years ago, when he was 10 years old, somebody came up to him and asked him what that meant. And I was so proud to stand back and just let him speak to why it was so important he wore that pin.”

» cmcconkey@brandonsun.com