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Ontario Tech acknowledges the lands and people of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation.

We are thankful to be welcome on these lands in friendship. The lands we are situated on are covered by the Williams Treaties and are the traditional territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation, including Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi. These lands remain home to many Indigenous nations and peoples.

We acknowledge this land out of respect for the Indigenous nations who have cared for Turtle Island, also called North America, from before the arrival of settler peoples until this day. Most importantly, we acknowledge that the history of these lands has been tainted by poor treatment and a lack of friendship with the First Nations who call them home.

This history is something we are all affected by because we are all treaty people in Canada. We all have a shared history to reflect on, and each of us is affected by this history in different ways. Our past defines our present, but if we move forward as friends and allies, then it does not have to define our future.

Learn more about Indigenous Education and Cultural Services

Moose Hide Campaign designates Ontario Tech University as an Ambassador Campus

The Indigenous-led grassroots movement to engage men, boys and all Canadians in ending violence against women and children

Moose Hide Campaign pins can be ordered in support of national Moose Hide Campaign Day, set for Thursday, May 11.
Moose Hide Campaign pins can be ordered in support of national Moose Hide Campaign Day, set for Thursday, May 11.

Ontario Tech University is committed to creating awareness of gender-based violence, taking preventive action to address this across the campus community and the wider community.  

In Winter 2021, Ontario Tech’s campus joined the Canada-wide Moose Hide Campaign, a program that aims to: 

  • Address the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.
  • Speak out about gender-based and domestic violence.
  • Promote cultural sensitivity, anti-racism and healthier masculinities.

Launched in 2011, the Moose Hide Campaign also supports theTruth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action and theUnited Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. 

  • Fact: Half of all women in Canada have experienced at least one incident of violence since the age of 16; the percentage is much higher for Indigenous women.

Following Ontario Tech’s very successful connection to the Moose Hide Campaign in 2022, Ontario Tech recently earned official designation as a Moose Hide Campaign Ambassador Campus, in recognition of the university’s commitment to do the work to create a safer society for all. 

Summary of key Moose Hide Campaign achievements at Ontario Tech 
  • Ontario Tech has engaged with approximately 1,000 people through campus events, in-person awareness booths and webinars.
  • The university encourages the campus community to wear the Moose Hide pin to bring awareness to the campaign. Each pin sparks approximately five new conversations: with more than 600 Moose Hide pins ordered to date, Ontario Tech has contributed to an estimated 3,000 conversations.
  • Ontario Tech held an informational webinar in May 2022 with a keynote address by Sage Lacerte, National Youth Ambassador to the Moose Hide Campaign, where Lacerte shared the origin story, goals and real-life impacts of the campaign.
Be a part of this growing community: How you can support the 2023 Moose Hide Campaign 

The 2023 Moose Hide Campaign’s National Campaign Day is Thursday, May 11. Ontario Tech encourages the campus community, and all partners and friends, to join us in recognizing the impact of gender-based violence and in taking action to show your commitment. 

You can get involved by: 

Helpful links for more information  

If you need support, you can book an appointment with the Indigenous Cultural Advisor at Ontario Tech by emailing indigenous@ontariotechu.ca.  

Quotes 

“As a campus rooted in equity, diversity and inclusion, and with a commitment to decolonization and reconciliation evidenced through action, I feel very proud of what we have accomplished through this designation. It is imperative to acknowledge that our students, employees and others who interact with our institution may experience, or be a support personfor, someone who has been affected by gender-based violence. As an Ambassador Campus, we commit to educating our community about the truth shared in the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Inquiry Calls for Justice, and moving towards reconciliation by embedding the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action into our institution." 
-Akeisha Lari, Manager, Student Engagement and Equity, Office of Student Life, Ontario Tech University 

“Ontario Tech University recognizes the importance of remembering and learning from the past, so that we can improve our future. The Moose Hide Campaign Ambassador Campus designation represents Ontario Tech’s prioritization of the engagement of all communities to help end gender-based violence, and reinforces the university’s commitment to action, education, meaningful dialogue and change.” 
-Dr. Langis Roy, Deputy Provost, Ontario Tech University 

"It was an incredible honour to be invited to speak at the Moose Hide Campaign information webinar, held in partnership with Ontario Tech University. This powerful gathering provided a platform to exchange stories, goals, and tangible impacts of the Campaign. Being able to both hear and share these experiences was a truly inspiring and moving moment – a testament to the strength of community and our collective ability to drive meaningful change." 
-Sage Lacerte, National Youth Ambassador, Moose Hide Campaign  

"We've been fortunate to count Ontario Tech University as an active partner of the Moose Hide Campaign since 2021. Through a range of impactful programs and events – such as Equity Talks with Moose Hide Campaign, Ridgeback Orientation, and their Campaign Launch event – the institution has demonstrated a deep commitment to creating safer and more equitable campus communities. As we prepare to recognize Ontario Tech University as an official Ambassador Campus Partner, we're grateful for their unwavering support and shared dedication to ending violence against women and children."
-Omar Karim, National Director, Post-Secondary Engagement and Initiatives, Moose Hide Campaign
 

Media contacts 

Bryan Oliver
Communications and Marketing
Ontario Tech University
289.928.3653 (mobile) 
bryan.oliver@ontariotechu.ca 

Garry Snow 
Director of Communications 
Moose Hide Campaign 
1.587.998.9088 
communications@moosehidecampaign.ca