The Wasagamack First Nation has condemned what it calls the "senseless killing" of one of its young men by Winnipeg police on the weekend.

Although police have not confirmed the man's identity, the First Nation said in a news release he was 26-year-old Craig McDougall, a member of the band located about 600 km northeast of Winnipeg.

The news release also said McDougall was a nephew of aboriginal leader J.J. Harper, whose death by a police bullet 20 years ago sparked an inquiry into the province's justice system, but it does not provide any details about the connection between the two men.

The First Nation is holding a news conference in Winnipeg on Tuesday at 788 Simcoe St. where McDougall was shot by police, who responded to a disturbance call around 5 a.m. Saturday.

Police said when they arrived at the house they were met by a man with a knife who refused to put down the weapon when asked to do so.

They tried zapping the man with a Taser stun gun, but that failed to subdue him so they had to resort to a gun, police spokeswoman Const. Jacqueline Chaput said.

At least two officers will be on administrative leave while the shooting is investigated, she said.

"The homicide unit will conduct the investigation and, as per policy, the norm is that it is reviewed by an outside agency and returned back to Winnipeg once that's completed," she told CBC News.

This is the second time in less than two weeks that a young aboriginal man, brandishing a weapon, has died in a confrontation with Winnipeg police.

Michael Langan, 17, died after police shot him with a Taser in late July.