Moose Hide campaign at Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare brings men into conversation about gender-based violence
Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare is part of a new campaign pledging to get men and boys involved in the fight to end violence against women and children.
The hospital and community partners including the Canadian Border Services Agency, University of Windsor, St. Clair College, Hiatus House, Metis Nation of Ontario and the Hospice of Windsor and Essex County to launched the Moose Hide Campaign. The campaign is national and Indigenous-led.
Thursday's event included an educational town hall, a smudging ceremony, a walk around the hospital and guest speakers.
"It's about taking care of our own, taking care of our people regardless of anything else. And that's why we're here today," hospital CEO Bill Marra said at the campaign launch.
Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare CEO Bill Marra at the hospital's launch of the Moose Hide campaign on Thursday, May 16, 2024. (Jennifer La Grassa/CBC)
"I can tell you that our commitment is this won't be a one off. This will be a continued presence for this organization going forward."
Moose hide is a "symbol of taking a stand against violence and undoing the effects of residential schools," the organization's website says. The name stems from a moose hunting trip the father-daughter team that co-founded the organization took along B.C.'s Highway of Tears, an area notorious for cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women.
Theresa Sims is an elder with the Ska:na Family Learning Centre, one of the partner organizations. She shared her own experience surviving an abusive relationship.
"Every person deserves the right to be treated fairly and with respect. To say no to unwanted behaviour, to feel safe, to be included, to ask for help when they need it, and also to make their own decisions," Sims said. "I went through that myself and one of my marriages, and finally it took me 13 times before I actually left.
"From this teaching, we learn about the different types of abuse. We'll gain understanding and knowledge to make changes in our behaviour, wisdom to acknowledge and practice values that are respectful for men and women."
Nick Metivier is the Indigenous peer support co-ordinator with Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare. He says it's crucial to engage men and boys in ending violence against women.
"It's usually women that are on the receiving end of violence. So getting men aware of things, getting men to stand up and say that 'we want to end this,' is very important.
Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare launched the Moose Hide campaign on Thursday. It aims to engage men and boys in the conversation about violence against women and children. (Jennifer La Grassa/CBC)
"I mean as a man with daughters, I certainly want to make sure that my children are safe when they leave the house ... It begins with us ... It's showing that next generation that we care enough to do something like this so they can follow through."
Metivier says he hopes that people can carry Thursday's message forward with them and that it inspires conversation with family and friends.
"I mean, that's all we can hope for is that it keeps the conversation going."
