![Members of Regina's Soldiers of Odin chapter in a photo uploaded to Facebook.](http://web.archive.org./web/20161021152210im_/http://wpmedia.leaderpost.com/2016/09/members-of-reginas-soldiers-of-odin-chapter-in-a-photo-uploa.jpeg?quality=60&strip=all&w=840&h=630&crop=1)
Members of Regina's Soldiers of Odin chapter in a photo uploaded to Facebook.
The Soldiers of Odin, an organization accused of having prejudiced views against Muslims and refugees, has made its way into Saskatchewan and has already carried out patrols in Regina.
Saskatchewan’s branch of Soldiers of Odin is mainly based out of Estevan, where its provincial leaders reside, but it also has chapters in Saskatoon, Moose Jaw, Swift Current, Humboldt and Weyburn.
The group has 40 to 50 members across the province, with approximately 10 members in Regina.
These Regina members conducted patrols around Wascana Lake this summer during the evenings with the goal of keeping an eye out for any criminal activity. Patrols are one part of the group’s way of ensuring community safety.
“We just walk around and cause more of a deterrent just by being there hopefully,” said Derek Niedermayer, the 26-year-old leader of Soldiers of Odin’s Regina chapter, which formed in April of this year.
![No Caption Found 230065242-odin_regina_patrol_2-W.jpg](http://web.archive.org./web/20161021152210im_/http://wpmedia.leaderpost.com/2016/09/no-iptc-info-found18.jpeg?quality=60&strip=all)
Members of Soldiers of Odin’s Regina chapter out on patrol in the city.
Patrols have also taken place in Estevan, which is home to provincial leaders Travis Stovin and David Tierney. That chapter was founded in March.
The origin of the Soldiers of Odin goes back to Finland in late 2015. It was formed as a response to the refugee crisis in Europe that resulted from conflicts in the Middle East. Incidents of harassment and sexual assault later alleged to have been committed by refugees in European cities, including Helsinki, also spurred the formation of Odin. The group says one of its main goals is to protect citizens from refugees.
The group was founded by Finnish white supremacist Mika Ranta, who was previously convicted of racially motivated attacks on immigrants in 2005. In March, Finnish police began an investigation into an assault on a man in Imatra that was allegedly committed by three men wearing Soldiers of Odin jackets.
There have been no reports of Soldiers of Odin members being involved in criminal activity in Canada.
According to a report by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), Soldiers of Odin made its way into North America in February 2016.
The report links anti-refugee sentiment that recently began appearing in Canada and U.S. with the timing of North American Soldiers of Odin groups being formed. The report also ties the group’s rise to increasing anti-Muslim sentiment in the U.S.
Part of the reason for Soldiers of Odin chapters being formed in North America was out of concern over reports of violence involving refugees in Europe, and the desire to prevent similar incidents from happening here.
“We saw what was happening over in Europe with all the issues that have arisen,” said Niedermayer.
In its bylaws, the group says the Canadian government is failing its citizens by “accepting refugees from countries that hate us while Canadians are on the streets.”
Niedermayer said the group is still pro-immigration.
“We’re against bringing in people without a proper screening process to fully make sure that they’re here for the benefit of themselves and Canada,” said Niedermayer.
“So we we’re not against it, we’re just against them trying to change a lot of the core beliefs of Canada. ‘Cause we’re a very open and diverse country and we don’t want to have to just stick to one base ideology or something.”
Members in Saskatchewan deny the group holds any racist beliefs, and insist it is here for the benefit of the community. Aside from carrying out patrols, the group has engaged in community clean-up projects and fundraisers, with the Regina chapter raising money for the family of a young girl diagnosed with cancer. During the fire in Fort McMurray, the group also collected donations for those affected.
“We don’t care what colour or where you’re from or anything, just if you want to take pride in your community and help out,” said Niedermayer.
![Members of Regina's Soldiers of Odin chapter at a fundraiser that raised money for the family of a young girl diagnosed with cancer. (Facebook)](http://web.archive.org./web/20161021152210im_/http://wpmedia.leaderpost.com/2016/09/members-of-reginas-soldiers-of-odin-chapter-at-a-fundraiser1.jpeg?quality=60&strip=all)
Members of Regina’s Soldiers of Odin chapter at a fundraiser that raised money for the family of a young girl diagnosed with cancer. (Facebook)
Niedermayer said Regina’s Soldiers of Odin even reached out to The Regina Open Door Society, Souls Harbour Rescue Mission and the YWCA to volunteer their services. Only the YWCA confirmed it had been contacted by the group, but said it did not wish to partner with Odin.
Although it claims not to be a racist organization, the ADL’s report says Soldiers of Odin’s North American branches have attracted white supremacists. The Saskatchewan contingent has already had to remove some members because they tried to introduce extremist views that the group did not want to be associated with.
“It is strictly written in our bylaws that we will not tolerate any of that behaviour,” said Niedermayer.
Aside from that, the group isn’t concerned with the personal beliefs of its members, as long as it doesn’t affect their participation and isn’t being broadcast on social media.
In an email, provincial leader Travis Stovin acknowledged the “negative attention” the group received in Finland, but said that doesn’t reflect the Saskatchewan branch.
“We as Canadians, from all walks of life, have taken Soldiers of Odin to a more positive and very community-friendly approach,” said Stovin.
Despite those assurances, there are still numerous postings on Facebook by Soldiers of Odin supporters, and its leadership, that contain negative sentiments against refugees and Muslims.
In July, Tierney shared a graphic image of a man holding a severed head with the caption “When is the last time you saw a photo of anyone but a Muslim holding a human head?”
Much of the activity around Soldiers of Odin still remains online. While its Saskatchewan Facebook group has just over 300 members, only a fraction of that appear to take part in physical meetings as seen in photos posted by the group.
Photos posted to Facebook show members on patrol, gathered to donate clothes, or at social events such as barbecues. Some photos posted by the Estevan chapter show approximately 20 people gathered. A photo of members out on patrol in Regina shows seven members.
![Members of Soldier of Odin's Estevan, Saskatchewan chapter pose for a photo. (Facebook)](http://web.archive.org./web/20161021152210im_/http://wpmedia.leaderpost.com/2016/09/members-of-soldier-of-odins-estevan-saskatchewan-chapter-po.jpeg?quality=60&strip=all)
Members of Soldier of Odin’s Estevan, Saskatchewan chapter pose for a photo. (Facebook)
Several academic researchers contacted in Canada had either not heard of Soldiers of Odin, or studied its presence in Canada. One researcher, who did not wish to be named, was not convinced the group had a serious presence.
“We only have very patchy information that makes me think that this group is a very small one, and might be a fad,” said the researcher.
While Soldiers of Odin is still new to North America and its future is uncertain, Mark Pitcavage with the ADL said authorities should at least be aware of its presence.
Pitcavage is a senior research fellow with the ADL’s center on extremism, and published its report on Soldiers of Odin.
While the group is trying to portray itself as a community-minded organization, Pitcavage’s research left a different impression.
“They always take the stance ‘Oh we’re not racist at all. We accept anybody.’ But when you look at the backgrounds of the individual members and what they say to each other in confidence, where they’re just talking about their feelings, it’s another story entirely,” said Pitcavage.
He acknowledged that while the majority of the activity has been online, it has been growing at a fast pace.
The reason for concern, Pitcavage argued, is the possibility of the group inspiring violence against refugees.
“These are exactly the sort of people who, not necessarily as a group but as individuals, some of them could actually be prompted, or inspired, or motivated (or) be angered enough to the point where they might even want to attack, or do some sort other activity against refugees,” Pitcavage said, speaking generally of the worldwide group.
![Members of Saskatchewan's Soldiers of Odin branch pose near a lake in the province during a get-together. (Facebook)](http://web.archive.org./web/20161021152210im_/http://wpmedia.leaderpost.com/2016/09/members-of-saskatchewans-soldiers-of-odin-branch-pose-near-a.jpeg?quality=60&strip=all)
Members of Saskatchewan’s Soldiers of Odin branch pose near a lake in the province during a get-together. (Facebook)
Pitcavage said most of the group’s activity in the U.S. has not yet shifted from online to real-world meetings. The ADL places more importance on in-person gatherings and patrols, and informs local law enforcement if it finds evidence of that occurring.
A spokesperson for the RCMP said it is aware of the group, but does not investigate movements or ideologies unless there is evidence of criminal activity, or there are individuals who threaten the safety of Canadians. The Regina Police Service said it is aware of the group, but has not received any complaints.
They may be struggling with a negative reputation, but Saskatchewan’s Soldiers of Odin still want to improve how the group is percieved.
“It’s a little disappointing, but again we do understand that it’s going to take time, and not everybody is going to accept the fact that we’re just here to help,” said Niedermayer.
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