The Honourable Perry Trimper, Speaker of the House of Assembly, is pleased to announce that the House of Assembly is participating in the Moose Hide Campaign (MHC) today. The campaign is an Indigenous-led initiative, which draws upon culture and ceremony as a means of reconciliation and responding to the tragedy of domestic and gender-based violence. This is the second year for the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly to participate in the MHC.

The inspiration for the Moose Hide Campaign came to co-founders Paul Lacerte and his daughter Raven in 2011 during a moose hunt on their traditional territory along a section of highway where dozens of women have gone missing or been murdered. Since the start in British Columbia, over one million squares of moose hide have been distributed and ceremonial fasts have taken place in communities, organizations, and other legislatures across Canada.

In addition to wearing the moose hide pin as a pledge to act on the issue, men have participated in fasting ceremonies to show their commitment to honour and respect women and children, and to spread the message that gender-based and domestic violence will not be tolerated in our communities and society.

Inuk elder, Emma Reelis, joined Members of the House of Assembly this morning to begin the day with a prayer and present Members with their moose hide pins, which will be worn during House proceedings today. Members have also been invited to participate in a fast until the House adjourns this evening.

“I am pleased that the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly is once again participating in what has grown into a national campaign to engage all Canadians in ending domestic and gender-based violence. By elected officials joining our counterparts in other Canadian jurisdictions to spread awareness, it is my hope that individuals across the province will also become inspired to do something about the tragic reality of gender-based violence, and find their own ways of sharing the Moose Hide Campaign in their communities.”
Honourable Perry Trimper
Speaker of the House of Assembly

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Learn more
For more information on the Moose Hide Campaign and how to become involved, visit: www.moosehidecampaign.ca 

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Media contact
Bobbi Russell
Policy and Communications Officer
House of Assembly
709-729-1178
bobbirussell@gov.nl.ca