Former AMC grand chief denies sex assault allegations, counter-sues accuser

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This article was published 15/11/2023 (708 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A Winnipeg woman who filed a lawsuit against the now-former grand chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs is the target of a countersuit, in which Arlen Dumas claims she falsely accused him of rape in a deliberate attempt to ruin his reputation.

The counterclaim and statement of defence, filed Nov. 2 in Manitoba Court of King’s Bench, says the “frivolous, vexatious and scandalous” allegations have damaged Dumas’s reputation, leading to public humiliation, emotional distress and a loss of status and business opportunities.

Dumas is seeking an specified amount in damages, citing the “wilful and wanton disregard” of his rights and interests.

The action comes in response to a statement of claim filed Aug. 30, in which the female plaintiff detailed “at least” eight allegations of sexual battery, including one accusation Dumas “overpowered her, put her on her stomach on the bed, wrapped his arm tightly around her to restrain her… and forcibly sexually penetrated her.”

None of the claims have been tested in court and police have not announced any criminal charges.

The Free Press is not naming the woman due to the sexual nature of the allegations, which she said took place while they were both employed at the AMC in early 2022.

At the time, Dumas was leading the Indigenous government organization — a position of power which he used to intimidate, exploit and take advantage of her, the plaintiff alleges.

Dumas’s statement of defence denies all allegations against him, saying he acted in a “professional and appropriate manner” at all times. It goes on to accuse the woman of misrepresenting their relationship in media interviews and in posts on social media posts.

“The defamatory communications, wrongly and untruthfully, expressly or by implication, claim that the defendant is: dishonest; abusive; a sexual predator; and a person unequipped to engage in a supervisory role over employees,” the document says.

Further, it claims any sexual contact or activity between the parties was “fully informed and consensual in nature.”

Dumas was suspended as grand chief in March 2022, and then removed from the role five months later, after a third-party organization hired by the AMC investigated the accusation.

The plaintiff was similarly suspended, pending the results of the investigation, which were released to her in a report July 30, 2022.

The statement denies Dumas was removed because the investigation substantiated any of the claims. It goes on to allege the plaintiff divulged details about the investigation and the report, which were supposed to remain confidential.

The AMC includes 62 of the 63 First Nations in Manitoba, representing more than 151,000 people.

The Free Press has requested comment from the plaintiff’s lawyers.

tyler.searle@freepress.mb.ca