AMC condemns alleged actions of First Nation chief charged with sexual assault
The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs is condemning the alleged actions of a First Nation chief, and is barring him from future events, after he was charged with the alleged sexual assault of a child.
In a statement posted on AMC’s website Friday, Grand Chief Cathy Merrick called the allegations faced by Lake St. Martin First Nation Chief Christopher Traverse ‘serious and profoundly distressing.’
“While I recognize that this Chief has been charged and not convicted of these offences, I want to make it clear that the AMC unequivocally condemns the actions he is accused of,” the statement reads.
Traverse was charged in February with sexual assault, sexual interference and child pornography.
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-aged 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 on July 3.
None of the charges have been tested in court.
Cathy Merrick, Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, speaks to media in response to a federal announcement for a feasibility study to search a local landfill in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Friday, February 10, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
Merrick said given the severe nature of the charges, Traverse will not be welcome to attend any AMC events until the charges are resolved.
At that point, Chiefs will give further direction, she said.
“I wish to extend my support to the children and families affected by these recent events,” the statement said.
“I have reached out to the Council of the Lake St. Martin First Nation to offer assistance from the AMC during this challenging time.”
- With files from The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Parliamentary report on Emergencies Act decision is 18 months past due — and counting
The erstwhile group of senators and MPs studying the federal government's invocation of the Emergencies Act over the "Freedom Convoy" was supposed to present its findings in December. December of 2022, that is.
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
The kids from 'Mrs. Doubtfire are all SUPER grown up now, and we're not OK
The adorable trio of child actors from the 1993 classic comedy 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' which starred the late and great Robin Williams, are all grown up and looking back on their seminal time together.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Black youth face multiple barriers in accessing mental health care, experts say
Black youth in Canada face multiple barriers in getting access to mental health services — and health-care providers can make the situation more difficult, experts say.
Bystander livestreams during Charlotte standoff show an ever-growing appetite for social media video
Saing Chhoeun was locked out of his Charlotte, N.C., home on Monday as law enforcement with high-powered rifles descended into his yard and garage, using a car as a shield as they were met with a shower of gunfire from the direction of his neighbor's house.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Israel has briefed U.S. on plan to evacuate Palestinian civilians ahead of potential Rafah operation
Israel this week briefed Biden administration officials on a plan to evacuate Palestinian civilians ahead of a potential operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah aimed at rooting out Hamas militants, according to U.S. officials familiar with the talks.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.