Protesters challenge AMC leadership in wake of assault allegation

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This article was published 20/03/2022 (914 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Women shared their personal experiences of harassment Monday morning at a rally outside the Winnipeg headquarters of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs.

Last week, AMC Grand Chief Arlen Dumas was suspended by the First Nations advocate organization, following an accusation of sexual assault by a female staff member.

Renée Yetman shook as she told the crowd of around 50 gathered on the 200 block of Portage Avenue that Dumas had left her feeling used after a sexual encounter in 2017 in her home community of Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation.

The meeting was consensual but Yetman, 36, said Monday she felt exploited by someone who was supposed to act as a leader when she received no further contact with him for weeks after, and alleged other women had been treated similarly.

“I trusted him because he was a leader. I believed him, that he wanted to pursue a relationship and that he wanted to take it slow… I was physically hurt,” she said.

Another speaker, local activist Sadie-Phoenix Lavoie, said they had been at the receiving end of “predator behaviour” from Dumas in the form of late-night text messages asking to meet up.

“I’m glad he was called out, and I just want to think about the victims and the survivors,” Lavoie said. “It’s a lot to carry with you every single day.”

Chants of “Arlen must go” and “Who’s protecting us” rang out in between speakers at Monday morning’s rally.

Dumas was suspended March 18 from the leadership of the AMC, after allegations of “harassment, sexual harassment and sexualized violence” made by a woman in a senior leadership position came to light.

In a letter, the woman told the AMC she has made a complaint to the Winnipeg Police Service (who confirmed last week an incident number had been generated but provided no further details). No charges have been laid.

The AMC — which represents more than 60 Manitoba First Nations — said it was starting its own investigation, via external “human resource lawyers.”

The events raised questions about the method of investigation by the AMC and how the organization would move forward after its leader had faced such allegations.

National Family and Survivors Circle chairwoman Hilda Anderson-Pyrz called for an independent council of elder women to take part in the investigation process.

On Monday, Anderson-Pyrz said it was “an opportunity for AMC to speak out against any type of predatory behaviour, even when it’s perpetrated from within.”

“How is AMC making decisions (that are) more gender balanced? How is AMC reclaiming roles for women, girls and (LGBTTQ+) people and supporting them in the workplace and making it safe?” she said. “What is AMC doing to support all First Nations, women in communities who have experienced sexual violence or any form of gender-based violence?”

Dumas was elected grand chief in 2017.

In 2019, Dumas took a two-week leave of absence from the role, following public complaints he sent unwanted, inappropriate texts to at least one woman. He denied the allegations.

He was re-elected grand chief in July 2021.

The alleged misconduct was an open secret in the community, rally attendees Lisa Strong and Cheryl James told the Free Press.

“Something has to come out of this,” Strong said. “Me, personally, I think he should leave, step down.”

“I’m not even going to call him a leader, I think he’s a coward for putting these women through this, for not admitting what he’s doing to these women,” James said.

“And it’s important that we come and tell these women we believe them.”

On Monday, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (which represents northern First Nations) issued a statement in support of women, girls, two-spirit and gender-diverse people.

“MKO is aware people in our First Nations may be traumatized due to recent media reports,” the statement says, prompting those impacted to seek emergency counselling.

malak.abas@freepress.mb.ca