Moose Hide Walk at Children’s Cottage 2025

On Moose Hide Campaign Day, May 15, 2025, Children’s Cottage Society proudly stood alongside community members, Indigenous partners, and agency allies to walk in solidarity against gender-based violence.

Hosted at our Child & Family Centre in Montgomery, the Walk to End Violence brought together more than 50 participants, including children, families, staff, volunteers, and partner organizations, united in a shared commitment to truth, reconciliation, and action.

“The participation of our staff, volunteers, children & families, agency partners and community members, walking side by side with our Indigenous brothers and sisters, was a heartfelt commitment to solidarity,” said Danielle Ladouceur, CEO of Children’s Cottage Society.
“Ending gender-based violence requires collective action, and today we all came together to show what that looks like in practice.”

Ceremony, Community, and Purpose

The walk began with a ceremony and tobacco offering at the Bow River. It was an opportunity to honour the sacredness of the land and ground the day in Indigenous tradition. From there, the group walked along the TransCanada Highway and Bowness Road, holding signs and receiving support through waves, honks, and cheers from passing traffic.

Back at the Cottage, a volunteer-prepared lunch welcomed walkers home, creating space for community connection and essential conversations about healing and prevention.

Why We Walk

The Moose Hide Campaign is a grassroots movement that calls on all Canadians to stand up against violence toward women and children, particularly Indigenous women and girls. It emphasizes the power of ceremony, education, and community as tools for change.

This year’s campaign highlights devastating truths:

• Indigenous women are 6 times more likely to be killed than non-Indigenous women

• 1 in 2 women aged 16 and older in Canada has experienced physical or sexual violence

• A woman or girl is murdered every 2.5 days in Canada

Our Commitment

At Children’s Cottage Society, we believe prevention is powerful. Creating safer communities for women and children starts with education, accountability, and allyship. Participating in the Moose Hide Campaign is one of the many ways we continue our journey toward reconciliation and our vision of a world where all children are safe.

To everyone who joined us – thank you. Your presence matters.