Arlen Dumas sexually harassed employee, independent investigation finds
Grand Chief of Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs to be removed from office functions, says the organization.
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Arlen Dumas
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs says independent investigation finds its Grand Chief sexually harassed employee . Arlen Dumas was suspended after a complaint was filed against him in March.
A statement says a meeting to formally remove Mr. Dumas from office will soon take place.
The investigation was conducted by an independent law firm.
The report was presented to the Assembly of Chiefs' Board of Directors on Wednesday, but the organization says the contents of the document are confidential.
The Winnipeg Police Service has already indicated that a complaint had been filed but that he could not confirm who the people involved were.
Shauna Fontaine told CBC/Radio- Canada that she was the woman who filed the complaint against Arlen Dumas.
She explains that she finally found the motivation to go public with her identity after more than 200 people signed an open letter calling for an independent investigation into the big boss.
On Thursday, Shauna Fontaine stressed that she felt satisfied that the investigation at her former workplace had reviewed the evidence and validated her complaint, although in the ;together, his emotions remain mixed.
“Sexual harassment, you know, is just the tip of the iceberg.
— Shauna Fontaine, who filed a complaint against Arlen Dumas
When we go to work, we need to feel safe, especially as Indigenous women working in an Indigenous environment, she stressed. At the same time, I feel very supported and loved by community members who reached out to me after I announced my name publicly. I felt listened to, she said.
Shauna Fontaine says the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs did not contact her and hasn't issued an apology (on file).
Shauna Fontaine claims the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs did not contact her and issue an apology , even though it would mean a lot to her.
Yet, according to Ms. Fontaine, a large part of the responsibility is to make amends, and my employer, although he conducted this investigation, now sees the evidence that shows he was wrong and that I was saying the truth, that I did not lie.
To date, Arlen Dumas has not been charged and none of the allegations have been proven in court.
CBC/Radio-Canada has requested comments from Mr. Dumas on several occasions since March, with no response.
Recall that Arlen Dumas has become Grand Chief in 2017 and was re-elected in 2021. Prior to that, he served as Chief of the Mathias Columbus Cree Nation in northwestern Manitoba for over a decade.
Chief Cornell McLean of Lake Manitoba First Nation was chosen to lead the assembly on an interim basis in April. Shamattawa First Nation Chief Eric Redhead held the position when Arlen Dumas was initially suspended, but resigned shortly thereafter, citing constraints with his schedule and commitments.
< p class="e-p">The Assembly is committed to reflecting on and reviewing its workplace policies and practices to ensure it fosters a culture of support and respect.
It represents 62 First Nations in the province, more than 151,000 people.
With information from La Presse canadienne
