The City of Timmins declared this Sunday, Sept. 30th to be Orange Shirt Day. But the day itself has so much more meaning than just wearing the color orange.

Kristen Murray, from the Timmins Native Friendship Centre, explained the significance of this day and what it means to Indigenous Peoples in the community.

“Orange Shirt Day is an event where we honor those that have attended Residential School, and those that have not made it home,” Murray said.

The meaning stems from a story from the early 1970’s, about a girl named Phyllis.

“There was a lady by the name of Phyllis, who attended Residential School,” said Murray. “She recalls her story of being given an orange shirt by her family. And then, going to Residential School, they took that from her. So her recollection was really about that.”

Murray goes on to explain the significance of the day that sparked from that moment.

“She wanted to just honor and just be able to speak to the incidents that happened,” she said, “but in a way that created awareness and not so much about anger but more like reconciliation.”

As a symbol to honor those that attended Residential Schools, people wear orange on Sept. 30th. But there’s more the community is doing to show support than wearing orange.

The Timmins Native Friendship Centre is hosting a walk this Friday, Sept. 28th. Starting at 10:30 AM, the walk leaves from the Friendship Centre with a police escort. Businesses and local non-profits will be involved with the walk, which ends with refreshments at the Friendship Centre. Other key partners include the DSB1 and Northern Catholic school boards, Timmins and Area Women in Crisis, and the City of Timmins.

This is the third annual Orange Shirt Day event in Timmns, and Murray says she hopes the event grows with more participants in the future.

“I hope that once the Indigenous Advisory Council is together, this is something we can work on together,” she said.

Murray says if you don’t have an orange shirt, not to worry. There are places in Timmins to pick one up, but a little orange also goes a long way.

“A lot of the schools and agencies do have shirts if you need one,” she said, “or, I mean, even if there’s a little bit of orange on your shirt or if it’s a pin that you wear… something in honor of Indigenous People that have attended Residential School and those that didn’t make it home.”

Murray says community involvement with Orange Shirt Day is always welcome.

“It just speaks to a lot of the people that reside in the community,” she said, “or are descendants of those who’ve attended Residential Schools. So they feel the impact in the community.”

Join the Orange Shirt Day Walk on Friday, Sept. 28th at the Timmins Native Friendship Centre at 10:30 AM.