Okanagan Nation Alliance calls for support after alleged uptick in racist incidents related to 'freedom convoy'

The Chiefs of the Syilx Okanagan Nation are calling for "swift response and support" following a hostile incident between a protester and high school children in Oliver, and what they say is an uptick in racially-motivated hatred towards their members related to the "freedom convoy."

An adult woman was caught on camera screaming racist slurs and profanities at kids at Southern Okanagan Secondary School on Feb. 11 following a confrontation over mask mandates, after members of the freedom convoy movement attended the school.

On Monday, local RCMP called the incident 'disconcerting' and 'unsettling.' The local school board put out a public statement asking that future protesters leave their schools alone.

On Tuesday, the Okanagan Nation Alliance posted on Facebook that their Chiefs are asking for the support of regional officials and the RCMP.

They wrote they have received "reports of a series of racially motivated violent crimes coming out of what is now referred to as [the] freedom convoy movement on Syilx territory."

In an open letter sharing their opinions, they say that even before the incident at the secondary school, on Feb. 5, a female Syilx Nation member reported being verbally assaulted and intimidated by a group of caucasian members of the freedom convoy near the Osoyoos border crossing.

"The perpetrators had singled out the victim out based on the visible Indian residential school decals on her vehicle, as her vehicle and others inched slowly towards the border crossing. They would have also seen spiritual objects like her eagle feather hanging on the rearview mirror," the letter claims, adding that in their opinion, these instances were hate crimes.

"As a visible Indigenous person, we are once again all reminded of the pervasive and brutal intolerance inherent in this movement, but also brings to light the normalization of violence that Syilx people endure on a daily basis."

The letter goes on to condemn the actions of the protester at the school on Feb. 11, saying the multiple youth who witnessed the verbal assault "will have this racist and bigoted memory for life."

"The messaging of the so called 'freedom convoy' has taken an ugly turn and supporters are now using this to advance their racist and bigoted agenda. We urgently call upon border crossing officials, RCMP, local, federal, provincial governments and representatives to meet with the Chiefs of the Syilx Okanagan Nation," the letter reads

"These are just two incidents that have been brought directly to our attention, but numerous others have undoubtedly went unreported, and have been amplified through the freedom convoy movement."

They praised the courage of the women who reported the two incidents.

"We stand in solidarity for all People of Color."