On Thursday Feb. 7, at roughly 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., more than 100 men (both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal) from across BC gathered at the Hotel Grand Pacific in Victoria and after meeting they made their way over to the steps of the BC Legislature.
What were these men gathering for and why walk to the steps of the Legislature? To stand in solidarity, speak out and commit to ending violence towards Aboriginal women and children.
The BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres (BCAAFC) organized the event, which was spearheaded by Executive Director Paul Lacerte. Leaders from business, Aboriginal organizations and Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) also fasted for 24 hours to show their support for this cause. Others in attendance included Chiefs, RCMP, Aboriginal men/young men and the Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation John Rustad.
As the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council (NTC) Vice-President it was my honour to stand with our brothers (and some sisters) to show NTC’s support of ending violence against Aboriginal women and children.
Throughout this day, the men listened to speakers, gathered in sharing, talking, and healing circles while the women witnessed and prayed, and finally we walked in solidarity to the steps of the BC Legislature. A powerful day filled with tears, heartache, sadness, empowerment and unity.
Aboriginal women are 3.5 times more likely than non-Aboriginal women to become victims of violence
The silence must be broken, and our women and children need to speak out if violence is happening in their homes or towards them. Our people did not have a history of violence towards our children and women and we know that although colonization and the residential school system have had huge impacts on our communities, the violence must stop.
No longer do we live in communities where women and children need to be silent about the devastating things that may occur in their lives, especially violence. Our women and children need to know that they should feel safe enough to speak up if something is happening to them and not be afraid of the reaction of an individual, family or community just because of who the person is that is hurting them.
We also need to make our people aware that there are supports within your Nation and at the NTC for you; all you have to do is ask.
Today, I wear moose hide on my jacket so that when someone asks, “What is that?” I can tell them, “I’m glad you asked, it’s a moose hide and I wear it to show my commitment to ending violence against Aboriginal women and children”.
It was my honour to attend this event and I hope we can hold similar events in Nuu-chah-nulth territories or possibly even hold our own event and mirror the provincial event in Victoria on the same day, but here in Nuu-chah-nulth territories.
So please stand with me and help to end violence against our women and children because even one act of violence is too many.
Kleco, Kleco
Ken Watts
A father, a husband and a son
(and Vice-President of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council)
For more information please go to:
http://moosehidecampaign.ca/ or search “Moosehide Campaign” on Facebook
