‘To empower men and boys’: Nenan Dane Zaa Deh Zona’s McAleney talks Moose Hide Campaign

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Part of the goal of this week’s Moose Hide Campaign day, says Sarah McAleney, is to empower men and boys with the message gender-based violence is not okay.

McAleney, a family wellness counsellor at Nenan Dane Zaa Deh Zona Family Services Society, stopped by Moose Media studios on Friday, May 9th to chat with afternoon show host Chris Walker about the Moose Hide Campaign day on Thursday, May 15th.

“So the Moose Hide Campaign was brought up to empower men and boys to come together to help stop violence,” said McAleney. “Because we do see [much] of this violence is perpetrated by men, we believe that they are also the people that can help stop it.

“We want to empower them to do it, not try to cause shame and blame, but have them come with us to stop it.”

Statistics on the Moose Hide Campaign’s website says there are 60,000 physical or sexual assaults on women in B.C. annually – an average of 1,000 per week –  but it adds “shame and blame isn’t the answer.”

McAleney told Walker each community celebrates the day “a bit different,” adding the main focus is a walk, which participants will do on Thursday at Festival Plaza starting at 3 p.m.

Workshops, resources and a tea tent for Elders will also be provided. 

“I think there’s something about joining in on things like this,” said McAleney. “It’s educating the people around you. It’s calling out that behaviour and also understanding the beginning works of that stuff, understanding the red flags.”

Begun by Paul Lacerte and his daughter Raven Lacerte, the idea for the campaign began during a moose hunting trip near the Highway of Tears, located between Prince George and Prince Rupert. 

The local Moose Day Campaign events will be hosted by Nenan Dane Zaa Deh Zona Family Services Society and the Fort St. John Friendship Society.

Further information about the Moose Hide Campaign day is available on its website.

Watch the full interview on Moose FM here.