Residents can take a stand against violence towards women and girls through a local event.
May 16 is Moosehide Campaign Day, a national initiative that started back in 2011, aiming to get men and boys to stand up against violence towards women and girls.
Organizer of this year’s event Alan McNaughton says it’s a movement of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians from local communities.
“It includes First Nations governments, schools, and colleges,” said McNaughton. “This year, we are having our first event in the Comox Valley.”
He says the event will have two events, the first being a gathering at the Comox Valley Art Gallery with a big screen showing a live-feed from the from the ceremonies in Victoria, as well as information booths, and an Indigenous elder will perform a welcome for those attending.
The second event will take place at the Big House on Comox Road, which will include a traditional welcome, information booths, speakers, music, and resources.
McNaughton says his vision for the event was to include the whole community for this event.
“It is an Indigenous-led cause, but as it’s grown it’s become an all-Canadian cause,” said McNaughton. “This is what I want for everybody in the community as well as the newcomers, and this has taken patience, time and communication. It has been a task and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.”
Mayor Bob Wells says with intimate partner violence, the event aims to bring awareness of it and that people have a comfortable space to speak and learn about the issue.
The event is free, with the gathering at the Art Gallery to start at noon, while the event at the Big House starts at three.
