Indigenous leaders denounce online harassment after allegations of racism at small-town Sask. hockey game

A provincial senior hockey game in a small Saskatchewan town has gained far-reaching online attention after altercations in the stands that some believe were driven by racism.

Nearly two weeks ago, the Wynyard Monarchs and Round Lake Bears faced off at Co-operative Place in Wynyard, Sask., a town of roughly 1,700 that's about 150 kilometres northeast of Regina.

Two videos shared on social media that appear to begin midway through the incidents show disagreement between groups of people at the Feb. 28 game. 

People responding online to the videos have alleged some of the people involved made racist comments or discriminated against others in the crowd. A picture also being shared on social media purports to identify people in the video, as well as their apparent employment or relationships.

Wynyard RCMP officers attending the hockey game "mediated two verbal altercations between attendees," RCMP said in an email, but no charges were laid.

It's still unclear what exactly happened during those altercations.

What is clear is the power and potential ramifications of online denunciations.

Kayla Maxie is a Round Lake Bears fan from White Bear First Nation, about 260 kilometres southeast of Wynyard. She said she went to the game expecting a fun Friday night.

When she went to take a seat, she said a man lunged through the crowd and told her she could not sit there.

"It knocked me off guard first, and then it kind of made me feel a little shy, a little cheap. I felt embarrassed, humiliated," said Maxie.

When she asked why she could not sit there, the man responded that he paid taxes, she said.

Maxie posted about her experience online and said she did not intend for the people called out in posts online to receive any hateful