Retired priest charged in residential school investigation pleads not guilty
A 92-year-old retired priest charged in connection with an allegation of sexual abuse at a residential school in Manitoba has pleaded not guilty.
Retired Father Arthur Masse of Winnipeg was arrested at his home in June, and charged with one count of indecent assault. The charge stems from an 11-year RCMP investigation into sexual abuse allegations at the former Fort Alexander Residential School between 1968 and 1970.
RCMP previously said the investigation was spurred after police received a tip about the alleged abuse in February 2010, and alleged the incident involved a 10-year-old girl who was a student at the school.
None of the allegations have been proven in court and Masse is presumed innocent. He was released with conditions.
The retired priest's case returned to the courtroom Wednesday in Powerview, Man. Though Masse did not make a physical appearance, his lawyer, George Green, confirmed to CTV News Masse has pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Outside the legion hall, where the courtroom was located, a group of First Nations leaders and community members came out to support the victims and survivors.
Among them was 63-year-old Victoria McIntosh, who has identified herself as the victim in the case.
"A lot of us were kept in the dark about the legacy of residential schools, and seeing my fellow survivors—it really gives me a lot of comfort," she said, adding she plans to follow the case 'every step of the way.'
Masse's next court case is set to be moved to Winnipeg, with the next date scheduled for Sept. 14.
Chief Derrick Henderson, chief of Sagkeeng First Nation where the Fort Alexander Residential School was located, was also among those who gathered outside the hall Wednesday. He said the First Nation is providing community supports to McIntosh and other survivors.
He said the First Nation does plan to provide some transportation from Sagkeeng to Winnipeg, a nearly hour and a half drive, to follow the court case.
"This is a huge case involving the courts and involving the church and we need to make sure that justice is done for our people," Henderson said.
Manitoba RCMP has previously confirmed this is the only investigation into residential schools they are involved in, and don't anticipate any further charges to be laid.
If you are a former residential school student in distress, or have been affected by the residential school system and need help, you can contact the 24-hour Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419
Additional mental-health support and resources for Indigenous people are available here.
With files from The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Manitoba mom praises quick-thinking fire department for freeing daughter stuck in playground equipment
A Manitoba mother is praising firefighters for their quick work in helping her daughter who got stuck at a playground in Lorette, Man.