Soldiers of Odin establish roots in Regina, across Sask.
Victoria Dinh | CBC News | Posted: September 13, 2016 11:30 AM | Last Updated: September 13, 2016
Group has been dubbed 'an extreme anti-refugee group'
The Soldiers of Odin has established a chapter in Regina and Saskatchewan with claims of making a difference.
"We are here to help out in the community any way we can to make it a better place for everyone," Derek Niedermayer, president of the Regina branch, wrote to CBC News.
We don't need someone patrolling in our community looking for crime. They are the crime. - Bob Hughes, advocate with the Saskatchewan Coalition Against Racism
The European organization originated in Finland and has been dubbed "an extreme anti-refugee group" by the Anti-Defamation League.
Bob Hughes, advocate with the Saskatchewan Coalition Against Racism, said he's known about the group for some time. He's been working in the anti-racism field for over 30 years.
"We don't need someone patrolling in our community looking for crime. They are the crime," Hughes said.
"Please don't insult our intelligence by saying that, 'Although we call ourselves the Soldiers of Odin that somehow we have a different slant on things' — this is simply so ridiculous."
Hughes noted that although it might not be apparent, Saskatchewan is fertile ground for groups such as the Soldiers of Odin or the Ku Klux Klan.
He said he just wants to bring awareness to who this group really is.
"That's like saying, 'We're the Regina chapter of the Klan but we like to help people.'"