Grand Chief Arlen Dumas facing calls to step down amid suspension over sexual harassment and sexual assault allegations
CTV
Arlen Dumas is facing calls to step down as Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) amid an allegation of sexual harassment and sexual assault brought forward against him by a senior AMC staff member.
Arlen Dumas is facing calls to step down as Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) amid an allegation of sexual harassment and sexual assault brought forward against him by a senior AMC staff member.
In a letter dated Mar. 14 that was sent to the AMC’s executive council of chiefs and women’s council, the senior staff member called on the organization to act urgently after raising concerns about workplace culture and harassment “based on my personal experiences of harassment, sexual harassment and sexualized violence by Grand Chief Dumas.”
CTV News isn’t identifying the staff member, who wants to remain anonymous because she said in the letter she’s a victim of sexual assault.
Dumas has since been suspended by the AMC pending a human resources investigation into the complaint. On Monday afternoon, the AMC's executive council of chiefs appointed Shamattawa First Nation's Chief Eric Redhead as the Acting Grand Chief.
The staff member also filed a complaint with the Winnipeg Police Service which confirmed Friday an incident number has been generated but police said Monday they wouldn’t be commenting any further on the matter.
Dumas has not been charged and none of the allegations have been tested in court.
On Monday morning, a group of around 50 people gathered outside the AMC building on Portage Ave. for a rally organized by Indigenous grandmothers and women in support of victims of gender-based violence.
