Wear purple in Kenora for two important initiatives

Kenora residents are asked to wear purple today and next week.

The City of Kenora has proclaimed October 20 as the first annual Purple Thursday, joining Canadian Royal Purple Societies across the province. The day aims to raise awareness about brain injuries and interpersonal violence.

“Our campaign is two-fold this year,” says National President, Sandi Lougheed. “We will engage in a major education and awareness campaign drawing attention to the connections between interpersonal violence and brain injuries in an effort to ‘Stop the Violence’ and our Lodges will deliver care bags to well over 60 shelters from Newfoundland to British Columbia.”

Purple Society members approached local businesses for donations, and members are donating 20 care bags to the Kenora Women’s Shelter today.

And next Thursday, October 27, is Dress Purple Day 2022.

Dress Purple Day aims to raise awareness about the role that individuals and communities play in supporting vulnerable children and youth, and this year’s theme is ‘It takes a community to care for kids’.

“Dress Purple Day is important to our organization. It gives us the opportunity to show our communities that we are here for our children, youth, and families as a resource,” explained Tikinagan Child and Family Services’ Associate Executive Director, Rachel Tinney.

“Our philosophy, Mamow Obiki-ahwahsoowin, doesn’t just include Tikinagan staff. It includes the whole community as we all work together to raise our children. We really hope to see everyone wearing purple as a way to show that they are part of the circle of care,” she adds.

Tikinagan reminds residents that it’s every adult’s legal duty to call their local Children’s Aid Society or Indigenous Child and Family Well-Being Agency if they have a concern about the safety or well-being of a child or youth.