TIMMINS - With the city's orange bus hitting the streets again, there's a new addition to the artwork this year.
For the first time, Mattagami First Nation, whose traditional territory Timmins is on, is also prominently featured on the bus that is already touring local streets.
“I hope a lot of people see this. And especially for our Mattagami members who are residents in Timmins, that they take pride in seeing that our logo is on the city and its property and it’s being recognized,” said Chief Jennifer Constant at the unveiling of the Timmins Transit bus.
It was Coun. Kristin Murray, who also sits on the city's Indigenous advisory committee, that reached out to Constant about the partnership.
“We were really happy about this opportunity, especially with the month of September coming up and Orange Shirt Day. We were really thrilled that we were able to collaborate in this way and have our logo on a bus in the city,” said Constant.
The orange bus initiative is only the start of the city's plans to acknowledge truth and reconciliation.
Later in the month, the McIntyre headframe will feature the Every Child Matters logo, and the Timmins signs on Third Avenue and at the Timmins Museum: National Exhibition Centre (NEC) will be orange.
On Sept. 30, city representatives will be at the Timmins Native Friendship Centre for Orange Shirt Day, which is also the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.
“The city will shine bright in honour of the children lost and for the survivors of residential schools, their families, and communities,” said Mayor Michelle Boileau in a news release.
“We are thankful to the Mattagami First Nation for their participation, and for the city’s Indigenous advisory committee, who continue to raise awareness on the importance of truth and reconciliation.”
