Grand chief to face non-confidence vote

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This article was published 30/03/2022 (1002 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba’s most powerful Indigenous leader, who has been accused of sexually assaulting a female colleague, is facing a non-confidence vote in May.

Grand Chief Arlen Dumas will face a special meeting of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, which has postponed its general assembly planned for April.

The assembly’s cabinet announced the measure Thursday, one day after deciding a non-confidence vote would be held.

No date or location have been confirmed.

Dumas will be able to address concerns around whether he breached the assembly’s code of conduct.

“The chiefs-in-assembly wish to vote determine whether Grand Chief Arlen Dumas should continue in his position as grand chief, as soon as possible,” the release read.

A separate workplace investigation is underway; it started two weeks ago after the Free Press reported a senior employee had filed a police report alleging Dumas had sexually assaulted and harassed her. Her claims have not been tested in court. After the allegations were made public, Dumas was suspended.

Dumas was re-elected as grand chief last summer despite allegations he had sent text messages to younger women that made them feel uncomfortable. He was first elected in 2017.

Eric Redhead, chief of Shamattawa, has been made acting grand chief as the assembly deals with the situation.