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KUGLUKTUK/COPPERMINE - Afghanistan is a long waysfrom Kugluktuk, but one resident is making sure the efforts of her younger brother stationed there - and the efforts of all Canadian troops - aren't going unrecognized.

The hamlet of Kugluktuk and parts of Cambridge Bay are participating in "Wear Red Fridays" to support Canadian troops like Cpl. Thomas Harvey, serving in Afghanistan. - photo courtesy of Miranda Atatahak

Korina Harvey's 24-year-old brother, Cpl. Thomas Harvey, has been in Afghanistan since February, serving his second tour of duty with the Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry.

Every Friday, Korina and a growing army of Nunavummiut are wearing red to show their support for Thomas and the Canadian troops serving in the war.

"It kind of started out in my office first," she said. "I asked the staff in the office to wear red and it just kind of grew from there."

The "Wear Red Fridays" began in the United States in 2005, where citizens would don an article of red clothing to show their appreciation for the work being done by their soldiers around the world.

The colour red was chosen, as it symbolizes the blood shed by soldiers.

The movement quickly gained popularity in Canada.

Korina heard about "Wear Red Fridays" through an e-mail, and she immediately thought it was a great idea to show her support for her brother on the other side of the globe.

"It makes you realize how much they sacrifice so that Canadians are able to do what they need to do," she said.

"I'm very proud of him. He's come a long way. But at the same time, I'm nervous. But I'm very proud of him and the community is very proud of him as well."

This was apparent two weeks ago when hundreds of Kugluktuk residents gathered in front of the community hall, decked out in red and holding Nunavut flags for a photo that will be sent to Thomas.

Korina said Thomas had not yet received the photo.

"I did bebo (a social networking website) him one photo, but I didn't get him the whole story," she said. "I just bebo-ed him the one picture of our office doing it."

She said Thomas would definitely appreciate the show of support.

"He would feel very proud of it."

The red is spreading across the North.

Through e-mail, the word has gotten to Cambridge Bay where residents there are beginning to wear red on Fridays, said Korina.

Korina is asking the rest of the North to wear red on Fridays "to support Canadian troops until they are all brought home safely," she said.

Thomas currently lives in Edmonton, where his unit is based. He lived in Kugluktuk for 18 years, said Korina.

Thomas is expected to return from Afghanistan in the next couple weeks, she said.