It appears a Saskatoon man is no longer employed and has resigned from positions with minor hockey after a recent online post suggested that motorists in Saskatoon run over Indigenous walkers trying to raise awareness to the disappearance of Ashley Morin.
The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations commented on a screenshot from Alex Johannesson Friday expressing disgust at the act of racism.
While sitting in backed up traffic near the bridge at Highway 16, Johannesson suggested that the people run over the walkers.
“It’s disgusting responses and threats of violence like this that continue to feed the reality that is racism in Saskatchewan. These are Kokums, women and girls,” The FSIN said in a statement.
The post drew condemnation on the FSIN Facebook page with comments of outrage.
The FSIN called for Johannesson’s employer Redhead Equipment and the Saskatchewan Hockey Association to address the matter.
“Saskatchewan Hockey Association and Redhead Equipment must deal with the individual immediately and terminate his employment. He should not be working with any minors, perpetuating and inciting violence. His behaviour, and tweets are highly offensive and disturbing,” stated the FSIN.
A few days later the FSIN updated the situation. “The FSIN Executive has been informed that this individual has been terminated from his position at Redhead Equipment in Saskatoon and that he’s no longer sitting as president and/or coaching any minor hockey players at the Waldheim Hockey Club.”
Redhead Equipment did not confirm whether Johannesson was fired. “I can confirm that our management team has dealt with the situation. Please be assured these views DO NOT reflect the values of Redhead Equipment and we are taking this incident extremely seriously. Management does not want to comment further,” said a spokesperson for Redhead Equipment.
Saskatoon Police is also looking into the situation. “I am told that we do have an investigation into this incident. We are also aware of the family’s wishes that the complaint be dealt with using compassion and education. That consideration will be part of the investigation and possible future submission to the Crown,” explained Alyson Edwards, Director of Public Affairs.
A group of people were walking from North Battleford to remember Morin, a First Nations woman who was reported missing July 10, 2018. Police are treating the disappearance as a homicide.
(Photo: A screenshot of a post from Alex Johannesson. Courtesy of FSIN Facebook.)