Another group is speaking out against online racist remarks following the death of a 22-year-old indigenous man on a rural Saskatchewan property.
On Wednesday, the National Farmers Union issued a statement, saying it wanted to “express our profound sadness over the tragic shooting of Colten Boushie.”
“As farmers, we condemn the rampant racist remarks that have circulated since the death of Colten Boushie, including comments made on the “Saskatchewan Farmers” Facebook group.”
The Facebook group the union referred to can no longer be found on Facebook.
The statement said the union extends its condolences to Boushie’s family and the community and joins them in mourning.
“We also commit ourselves to building relationships of solidarity, mutual respect, and friendship with our Indigenous neighbours, and to honouring our obligations as Treaty people.”
Boushie, a member of the Red Pheasant First Nation, was shot and killed on Aug. 9 on a rural property near Biggar, Sask. in the RM of Glenside.
READ MORE: One man dead, another in custody in Biggar, Sask. area shooting
According to police, a vehicle with five people entered the property at around 5:30 p.m. CT.
They were confronted by the owners and a verbal exchange happened between the parties.
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A gun was fired at some point, striking Boushie, who had arrived in the vehicle.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Gerald Stanley, 54, is charged with second-degree murder. He made his first appearance in North Battleford provincial court and is in remand until his next
appearance on Aug. 18.
READ MORE: Murder charge laid in farm shooting near Biggar, Sask.
Three occupants from the vehicle, one female youth, one woman and one man, were taken into custody on a related theft investigation. All three were released Wednesday.
Later that week, Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) accused the RCMP of fuelling racial tensions in its initial news release.
READ MORE: FSIN accuse RCMP of fuelling racial tensions after fatal Biggar, Sask., shooting
On Sunday, Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall also called for an end to racist and hate-filled comments circulating on social media.
“I call on Saskatchewan people to rise above intolerance, to be our best and to be the kind of neighbours and fellow citizens we are reputed to be,” Wall said in the statement.
READ MORE: ‘Racist and hate-filled’ comments after fatal shooting must stop: Brad Wall
Meanwhile, support for Boushie’s family is continuing on and offline with two separate events planned at the Saskatoon Provincial Courthouse and the North Battleford Provincial Courthouse where Stanley will make his second appearance.
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