Hope Secondary School’s (HSS) recent hosting of the Moose Hide campaign is the inspiration for the Hope Art Gallery’s recent exhibition Q’elstexw te liqwel — an exhibition which focuses on raising awareness and ending violence against Indigenous women and children.
Halq’emelum for “Bring the peace,” Q’elstexw te liqwel is taking place in the gallery’s Back Room. From June 1 to June 28, locals and visitors will be able to visit the art gallery and take in the multi-media exhibit which features group banners, individual prints, and interactive works created by HSS students.
“We have been working on collaborative projects to bring awareness, and engage viewers to actively think about how they can bring change in their home, their work and their community to bring an end to violence for Indigenous women, youth and children,” said Rachael Bateman, HSS’s art teacher, in a press release. “This year, we wanted to create thoughtful works for the Moosehide Campaign. This movement is a ceremonial walk or action, done across Canada, to give agency to individuals to bring change and end violence against women and children.”
Co-founded by Paul Lacerte and his daughter, Raven Lacerte, over 10 years ago, the Moose Hide campaign was created when the two were out hunting moose to feed their family. The hunt took them into their Carrier territory, along the Highway of Tears in Northern B.C. Paul said being in the area, where so many women and children have gone missing, made him want a life for his daughter that was full of dignity, respect, and free from violence. He and Raven began the Moose Hide campaign and it has since grown into a nationwide event with both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities participating.
To learn more about the campaign, and how to get involved, readers can visit moosehidecampaign.ca.
HSS hosted the walk the annual walk on May 16 with students and teachers following a procession of drummers who sang traditional songs of healing and walked around the gym. Afterwards, students heard stories — related to the campaign and about gender-based violence — and were given moose hide patches.
After opening day, the exhibition will be available to see Wednesday through Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and is staffed by volunteers of the gallery. Admission is free and everyone is encouraged to visit.
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