St. Alexander Catholic Elementary-School Walks to End Gender-Based Violence

St. Alexander Catholic Elementary School took a historic step forward, participating in their very first walk for Moose Hide Campaign Day and showing solidarity with over 300,000 Canadians working to end gender-based violence.

An Indigenous-led grassroots movement that originated in British Columbia with father-daughter duo Paul and Raven Lacerte, the Moose Hide Campaign engages men, boys, and all Canadians to come together to end violence against women and children. Canadians may take action to support and participate in the campaign by walking, fasting, and wearing a small square of moose hide over their hearts – a symbol of taking a stand against violence and undoing the effects of Residential Schools.

Mrs. Tanis Dokis-MacAskill, teacher at St. Alexander, organized the event for the school. As she spoke to the crowd of students and staff members, she affirmed, “The moose hide pin you wear today signifies your commitment to honour, respect, and protect the women and children in your lives.”

“We can learn many lessons from all of God’s creations,” Mrs. Dokis-MacAskill continued. “Today, we learn from the moose. Large in stature, yet gentle in spirit, the moose represents strength, wisdom, and resilience.”

Following Mrs. Dokis-MacAskill’s speech, her Social Skills class delivered a resounding moose call – a bold, unified gesture honouring the animal from whom, as Mrs. Dokis-MacAskill described, we have so much to learn.

In addition to participating in the walk, St. Alexander raised $170.00 for the Moose Hide Campaign, further contributing to the movement’s efforts to end gender-based violence.

At the heart of the Moose Hide Campaign are values that we hold dear as a Catholic education family, including respect, responsibility, compassion, courage, honesty, humility, and integrity. The movement brings to light the concept of shared responsibility in ensuring the safety and well-being of our communities.

By participating in a walk for Moose Hide Campaign Day, St. Alexander students and staff demonstrated their commitment to end violence, create safe spaces and workplaces, support reconciliation, promote cultural sensitivity, and encourage healthy masculinity.