Moose Hide Campaign aims to end gender-based violence in Regina

WATCH: A round dance held by the Regina Early Learning Centre was held in honour of the Moose Hide Campaign on Thursday.

Despite rainfall, the Regina Early Learning Centre hosted a round dance in honour of Moose Hide Campaign Day, meant to recognize violence towards women and children and take steps to end gender-based violence.

Staff, clients and community members gathered for the event outside of the Regina Early Years Family Resource Centre.

A program which focuses on the wellbeing of fathers helped lead the event. It was their second time commemorating the Moose Hide Campaign.

Shalene Keepness is the facilitator of the fathers’ group. She encourages the public to take a stand and take action when dealing with violence.

“A lot of men and women don’t want to get involved with other people’s things. You turn a blind eye, ‘it’s not my problem.’ It’s all of our problem,” Keepness said.

Robert Hastings is a part of the fathers’ group and helped plan the event. He too hopes to bring awareness surrounding gender-based violence.

“It’s up to men to stop violence against women and children. Speak up for them,” said Hastings.

The Regina Early Learning Centre has been in operation since 1977. It offers programming for families with children under the age of five.

Monica Totton is the Executive Director of the Regina Early Learning Centre and said it is a great resource for Regina families.

“There are supports for you in the community. We all need to stand up and stand together to make a change,” Totton said.

To commemorate the occasion, a mural was unveiled on the side of the Early Learning Centre building.

It was painted by the fathers’ group and is meant to represent the importance of literacy between a father and child.

The Regina Foodbank provided the food for the event.

May 15 was the set date for the cross-country campaign.