Building Momentum through Staff Engagement, Community Outreach, and Youth Leadership
In the Town of Petawawa, the Moose Hide Campaign has steadily grown from awareness to action, thanks to the commitment of the Town’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee and local community partners.
In the weeks leading up to Moose Hide Campaign Day 2025, the Town Clerk, CAO, senior staff, and the EDI Committee introduced the Campaign to municipal employees. The response was immediate and heartfelt — a large number of staff chose to wear their moose hide pins throughout the week, signalling their solidarity and commitment to ending gender-based violence. This early spark of awareness helped set the tone for the wider community.
During the three-day Petawawa Expo, the EDI Committee continued the conversation beyond municipal offices. Committee members spoke with residents about the Campaign, inviting people to learn more and offering pins to those who wished to stand with the movement. These small, genuine conversations helped bring the medicine of the Campaign into everyday community life — one interaction at a time.
On May 15, the Petawawa Youth Haven Center carried this momentum forward by organizing a Moose Hide Campaign Day Walk to End Violence. Supported by passionate youth volunteers, a group of about 12–15 participants walked along the multi-use pathway that lines Petawawa Boulevard, holding signs and sharing their message of safety, respect, and hope. The Town’s EDI Committee partnered in the event, providing pins to walkers and hosting the raising of the No More Stolen Sisters flag at the community flagpole.
The day brought together municipal staff, youth leaders, and community members in a shared commitment to stand up against violence. As Councillor Lisa Coutu shared, “We hope to grow this event every year.”
Petawawa’s story is a powerful example of what local leadership can look like — starting with small steps, engaging staff, empowering youth, and showing up for the community. It reminds us that meaningful change is built through relationships, conversation, and people choosing to act together.
