May 11 is Moose Hide Campaign Day.

This Indigenous-led grassroots campaign invites all of us to speak out against gender-based violence. We’re showing our support by wearing the Moose Hide pin. The pin also shows a commitment to honour women and children.

This movement is about action. It is also about empowerment.

Indigenous peoples are leading this shift. The Moose Hide campaign remembers the roles and importance of women - matriarchs - in Indigenous culture. It re-affirms the roles and responsibilities of Indigenous men. The Moose Hide is an act of reviving ceremony and cultural ways of being, to bring safety and resurgence for Indigenous communities.

This is important to BC Housing employees. Many of us have committed to walking the path of Reconciliation, while committing to ending gender-based violence through our work and lives.  Since beginning in 2011, the Moose Hide Campaign has gifted over 4 million pins. Each pin sparks upwards of five conversations. The result: over 20 million conversations to end gender-based violence.

Indigenous women, girls, two-spirit, trans and gender-diverse people experience significant rates of violence, disproportionate to the general population.

• Indigenous women report more gender-based violence, three times the rate of non-Indigenous women
• Transgendered and gender-diverse people experience nearly twice the rate of intimate partner violence cisgendered women do
• Indigenous women are killed at six times the rate of non-Indigenous women

All forms of violence are unacceptable, regardless of gender. 

BC Housing is committed to Reconciliation. We stand with Indigenous people who are at significant risk of experiencing violence. It’s our responsibility to identify systemic inequities within our organization so we can better serve everyone, including Indigenous peoples 

It’s important that there are culturally safe places for Indigenous women and children leaving violence. The Women’s Transition Housing Fund will provide 3,000 transition, second stage, and long-term housing spaces for over the next 10 years, providing safe and secure spaces for women and children leaving violence. 

Here are some of the many commitments by BC Housing employees to address gender-based violence.

Vincent Tong – CEO, BC Housing

“I’m showing my support by wearing my Moose Hide pin to take a stand against gender-based violence towards woman and children and undoing the effects of Residential Schools. Gender based violence has no place in our society and by wearing my Moose Hide pin, I want to promote a safe place at BC Housing that’s free of harassment and violence.”

Allison Dunnet - Executive Director & Strategic Advisor, Homelessness

“Participating in the Moose Hide Campaign is an opportunity to recommit myself to ending gender-based violence towards Indigenous peoples through my work. It’s also a chance to talk with my son about the responsibility and opportunity he has to build a future without gender-based violence, and what standing up for Indigenous women and children looks like day to day.”

Will Valenciano – Acting Director, Vancouver Coastal Supportive Housing

“The Moose Hide Campaign Day reminds me and inspires my commitment, both personally and professionally, to end violence against women and children. We must work together to create a safer world for Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit and gender-diverse people that is shaped by survivors, family members and communities.”

Sairoz Sekhon – Director, Women's Transitional Housing & Supports Program

"Wearing the Moose Hide pin and participating in the campaign is an important act; representing a commitment to ending violence against Indigenous women and children. It’s an opportunity to raise awareness and to demonstrate our commitment to being part of the solution. I’m honoured to work with and support the WTHSP’s that provide safe shelter/housing and support services to Indigenous women and children throughout the province each and every day.”

Rod Hill – Director, Indigenous Relations

"I started wearing the Moose Hide shortly after participating in the groundbreaking ceremony for a safe house on Lake Babine Nation. This project was still in planning phases when a young member from Lake Babine was murdered, and while I was happy to see the project proceed, I was deeply frustrated that such a facility would not make a difference for her.... I get great joy when I meet others wearing the Moose Hide. It instantly reflects a level of mutual respect and accountability of our role to be difference makers. There’s something quite deep and meaningful in those interactions."

Dale McMann – Vice-President, Operations

“Protecting women and children in our society often starts with a safe place for them to call home. We know that Indigenous women and children experience a disproportionate degree of violence directed toward them. This must stop and I am proud to wear the Moose Hide as a symbol of both BC Housing’s and my own personal commitment to speak up and do what we can to stop this gender-based violence.”

Dee Stewart – Assistant, Indigenous Relations

“Very honoured to stand again and repledge my commitment to help end gender-based violence in our communities.”

Tyler Baker – Director, Regional Development, Interior

“I am proud to support the Moose Hide Campaign to end violence against women and children. Our team will continue to push forward the important work we do through the Women’s Transition Housing Supports Program in the Interior region to create much needed spaces for women and their children leaving violence. The projects we have recently completed are some of the projects we are most proud of, including Tupa House in Kelowna, in partnership with Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society, which was planned to provide support from a resident Elder to engage with women in a culturally safe way on their transition.”

Heidi Hartman – Associate Vice-President, Supportive Housing & Homelessness

“While small in size this square of Moose Hide has much significance. Wearing it symbolizes and pledges a commitment to work together to end violence to women and children and also toward Reconciliation. I am proud to be a part of BC Housing as we recognize the importance of having a variety of programs to shelter, house and support Indigenous women and children.”

Jared Nome – Analyst, Indigenous Relations

“Grateful for the men and boys of the Moose Hide Campaign for sharing a message of compassion and support. We stand with women and children fleeing from violence and work everyday towards creating safer and secure communities where everyone, women, girls, 2-spirit, trans, and gender-nonconforming people belong and are valued. Snachailya!”