B.C. First Nations advocates condemn use of Orange Shirt Day movement by trucker convoy

In a Facebook live video, a convoy protester urged members of the public to wear orange for Orange Shirt Day on Friday, as a "worldwide walkout at schools" takes place.

First Nations organizers of Orange Shirt Day are condemning efforts by at least one member of the trucker convoy protests to observe the statutory holiday on Feb. 11.

In a Facebook live video posted Thursday called, a protester urged the public to participate in Orange Shirt Day on Friday, as a “worldwide walkout at schools” takes place. The protester said a moment of silence would be observed at 2 p.m., timed with the walkout, for “Every Child Matters.”

“Orange Shirt Day tomorrow, we’re doing Every Child Matters tomorrow,” he said.

“Moment of silence at the main stage and everywhere else for the kids, it’s the worldwide walkout for the schools. Let’s go kids, let’s go. Get those masks off, you don’t need them.”

Orange Shirt Day is observed on Sept. 30 to honour the children lost in Canada’s harrowing residential school system, along with those who survived, their families, and impacted communities.

It was founded in 2013 by Phyllis Webstad, a survivor of St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School in Williams Lake, B.C. whose new orange shirt was taken from her on her first day at the so-called school.

Since then, the colour orange has symbolized the effects of residential schools and the critical importance of reconciliation.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is also observed on Sept. 30.