New allegation of sex assault against AMC grand chief

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This article was published 31/05/2022 (841 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

As a new allegation of sexual assault surfaced against the grand chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, the organization’s executive council says it will make no decision on Arlen Dumas until the original investigation has been completed.

In a statement released Wednesday, the AMC executive council said while its constitution allows for the removal of a grand chief from office, “removal cannot occur for rumours or unsubstantiated allegations.”

“The executive council of chiefs received an update that the investigators’ report will be completed by the end of June. The results of this report will provide the chiefs with the information needed to determine whether disciplinary action or removal from office proceedings will occur.”

Dumas was suspended earlier this year after a woman who worked at the AMC alleged the grand chief had sexually assaulted and harassed her.

The woman filed a complaint with Winnipeg police. No charges have been laid and the matter has not been before the courts.

When the staff member sent the executive council a letter about the allegations, which contained no details, the AMC launched a workplace investigation, it said Wednesday.

The investigation was later handed over to a law firm to complete after the letter was leaked to media.

APTN reported Tuesday a second woman had come forward, alleging she was sexually assaulted in Winnipeg in 2009 when Dumas was chief of Mathias Colomb Cree Nation.

The woman filed the allegations in a third-party report, where an alleged victim talks to members of an agency, which then brings the information to police, APTN said. Police put that information in a special database, but it does not spark an investigation.

Acting AMC Grand Chief Cornell McLean, chief of Lake Manitoba First Nation, told the Free Press Wednesday he was unaware of the latest allegation.

Sandra DeLaronde, a facilitator who has spent decades advocating for Indigenous Manitobans, said, while she has no knowledge on the latest allegation, she is glad the woman made a report.

“I’m grateful there is a third-party reporting process,” said DeLaronde, one of the women who are putting together an open letter to the AMC calling for the removal of Dumas as grand chief. A draft copy was leaked to media this week.

The group began putting the letter together after the AMC declined two requests for them to meet with the acting grand chief, DeLaronde said.

“The AMC does not honour the (AMC) constitution or the very women served by the governance and decision making of the chiefs of Manitoba,” the draft says, in part. “It is imperative that the AMC chiefs be accountable and support victims of violence and sexualized violence.

“The women who have spoken out… deserve a responsive, accountable and culturally appropriate response from leadership to address these issues.”

DeLaronde said she is hoping Dumas himself makes the decision before the AMC does.

“At some point, as a leader you have to think what is in the best interests of the people,” she said. “Don’t make them force him to resign — just resign.”

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca

Kevin Rollason
Reporter

Kevin Rollason is one of the more versatile reporters at the Winnipeg Free Press. Whether it is covering city hall, the law courts, or general reporting, Rollason can be counted on to not only answer the 5 Ws — Who, What, When, Where and Why — but to do it in an interesting and accessible way for readers.

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