For St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School Grade 9 student Zach Vallely, participating in events that reflect his Aboriginal values and traditions is something in which he takes pride.
Vallely was one of 11 students fasting on Thursday as part of the Ten Men Challenge, held as part of the Moose Hide campaign, a grassroots movement of Indigenous and non-Indigenous men and boys who are standing up against violence towards women and children.
Wearing moose hide signifies a commitment to honour, respect, and protect the women and children in their life and to work together to end violence against women and children.
“I enjoy participating in any school activity, especially the ones that have to do with Native culture, because that's my ancestry,” he said.
Vallely and his peers at St. Ben's were among thousands of men across the country fasting.
Indigenous support worker Carla Petahtegoose, who organized the day's fasting, said these young men have taken it upon themselves to honour women and children through their pledge.
Moose hide pins were distributed at the school last year, and Petahtegoose said she has been educating students about the campaign through their Aboriginal Values and Beliefs course.
“The Moose Hide campaign is similar to the Red Dress Campaign and Walking With our Sisters, in that they honour and acknowledge the murdered and missing Indigenous women across Canada,” she said.
