Winnipeg police charge chief of Lake St. Martin First Nation with sexual assault
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Monthly Digital Subscription
$0 for the first 4 weeks*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*No charge for 4 weeks then price increases to the regular rate of $19.00 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.
Monthly Digital Subscription
$4.75/week*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*Billed as $19 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $16.99 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $23.99 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 10/04/2024 (570 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
WINNIPEG – A First Nations chief in Manitoba is facing charges in the alleged sexual assault of a child.
Winnipeg police say Christopher Traverse was charged in February with sexual assault, sexual interference and child pornography.
Traverse is chief of Lake St. Martin First Nation, which is in the Interlake region about 270 kilometres north of Winnipeg.
Court records say the alleged offences happened on Dec. 29 and that Traverse was released on bail.
Police say the case involves an elementary-school-age child.
Traverse did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Canadian Press but told CBC he is innocent and would not be resigning.
He is set to appear in provincial court July 3.
The Interlake Reserves Tribal Council, which consists of seven First Nations including Lake St. Martin, became aware of the allegations last week. Traverse is a board member with the organization.
Lake Manitoba First Nation Chief Cornell McLean, who chairs the tribal council board, said there is to be an emergency meeting next week to determine next steps. They may include asking Traverse to step down or suspending him until the case is resolved in court.
The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs said in a statement it is not aware of the “particulars” of the charges. The organization added it does not comment on ongoing legal matters involving chiefs.
The assembly said it supports the citizens of Lake St. Martin and is committed to working with its band council to ensure appropriate supports are made available.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 10, 2024.