A Manitoba First Nation chief accused of sexually assaulting a young child has been removed from the boards of a child and family services agency and a regional tribal council.
Christopher Traverse, chief of Lake St. Martin First Nation, has refused calls to resign as leader of the community, following his arrest by Winnipeg police Feb. 1.
The 40-year-old is facing charges of sexual assault, possessing and creating child pornography, and sexual interference.
Christopher Traverse, chief of Lake St. Martin First Nation, has refused calls to resign as leader of the community. (John Woods / The Canadian Press files)
The offences allegedly occurred in late December 2023.
Traverse did not return a message seeking comment Friday. In an April 10 post on Facebook, he said he is innocent.
Traverse has been replaced on the Interlake Reserves Tribal Council’s board of directors, the organization said Friday.
IRTC condemned Traverse’s alleged actions and expressed support for residents of Lake St. Martin, which is about 225 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg.
“Our community members place their trust in us as chiefs, and as leaders representing them and working to improve their lives and we must honour that trust,” IRTC board chair Cornell McLean, chief of Lake Manitoba First Nation, said in a news release.
McLean is also chair of Anishinaabe Child and Family Services. He said Traverse has been removed from the agency’s board and replaced.
IRTC, a partnership of seven First Nations communities, confirmed Traverse remains chief of Lake St. Martin.
After Traverse was charged, some elders in the community gave him a letter asking him to resign.
Some community members have discussed the possibility of circulating a petition in a bid to remove him as chief.
Under the First Nations Elections Act, a First Nation chief or councillor ceases to hold office if they are convicted of a crime and sentenced to more than 30 days in jail.
They can be ousted by way of a petition, if it meets certain regulations.
The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs has said Traverse is not welcome at any of its meetings or events while he is facing charges.
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