Calgarians join campaign to end gender-based violence

Dozens of Calgarians took part in the 'Moose Hide' campaign on Thursday, to end violence against women and children.

On Thursday, Calgarians recognized Moose Hide Campaign Day by taking part in online workshops and a walk to end violence.

“Indigenous women make up 60 per cent of all female homicides here in Canada and 11 per cent of missing women, yet the population of Indigenous women is only 4.3 per cent of all Canadians here in Canada,” said Carmen Lasante, the district captain of the Otipemisiwak Metis government.

The campaign challenges men and boys to become part of the solution towards ending gender-based domestic violence against Indigenous women and girls.

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“Violence against women is a big problem in our society and it’s on us men to stop it from happening,” said Aman Panesar, walk participant.

Moose Hide Campaign Day launched in B.C. in 2011 as an Indigenous-led grassroots movement.

It has since grown into a nationwide movement of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians, First Nations, governments, police forces and other organizations.

A cornerstone of the campaign is the moose hide pin, which signifies the commitment to honouring, respecting and protecting women and children while also speaking out against gender-based and domestic violence.

“I think it resonates deeply with many, but its really about action, education and healing, when we know better, we do better,” said Nicole Ellerbeck, Indigenous relations lead at Women Building Futures.

The walk started at The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland. Participants marched to City Hall, stopping at the Every Child Matters memorial, and finished at The Confluence.

People are participated in Online workshops, including one about transforming fatherhood as a key to ending men’s violence.

“Part of the causes of men’s violence is reduced empathy and that comes from men not playing an equal caregiving role. We don’t develop as much empathy,” said writer and advocate Michael Kaufman.

Province’s plan to end gender-based violence

The Government of Alberta outlined its 10-year plan to end gender-based violence, with a focus on coordination and collaboration.

It includes five strategic priorities, including increasing awareness, prevention, support for survivors, and supporting Indigenous-led solutions.

Data from Statistics Canada shows that there were 385 cases of intimate partner violence reported per 100,000 people in Alberta in 2023, putting the province above the national average.

The rate of family violence was similar, with 366 victims per 100,000.

“For too long, the burden of safety has fallen on survivors, on women and children navigating the systems that often fail to protect them, that must change,” said Lana Wells, a gender-based violence prevention expert at the University of Calgary.

“The responsibility must shift to those who choose to use violence and to the systems and culture that have allowed it to persist.”

The province says it will spend nearly $20 million from Budget 2025 on the plan.