September 29, 2026
Sometimes residents of Prince George struggle to summarize our city’s identity, but the symbol nearly everyone points to is our mascot, Mr. PG. Standing the test of time, and currently standing over the intersection of Highways 16 & 97, the central waypoint of our northern capital occasionally waves a flag to mark an event or a cause. On Tuesday September 29th, he took a step further in this direction and accessorized.
On the eve of National Truth & Reconciliation Day, James Lambert of the Prince George Urban Indigenous Coalition worked with his team to gather a crowd at the feet of Mr. PG to assist in, and celebrate, pulling a huge orange T-shirt over the mascot’s impressive log chest. Accessorizing in this way was a first for our town’s icon, and does more than raise awareness of the Orange Shirt Day story. Additionally, an intent of the display is to invite citizens to participate actively in truth and reconciliation. Lambert reminds us of the opportunity the day provides, “…it gives time to really sit back and to be honest to ourselves and say, this is where we’re at today. And when we can be honest about it, then we can have the ability to move ahead.”
Events like this also foster community. Lambert, a 60s Scoop survivor wasn’t aware of his indigenous identity until he was in his thirties, but feels a powerful connection to others during events like this, “…we can be together, and we are together, unified.” Mr. PG will continue wearing the orange shirt into the first few days of October 2026. - Ian Gregg, CFUR Radio, Due North News