Lake St. Martin chief banned from AMC events amid sex-crime charges

By: Free Press staff Posted: 4:13 PM CDT Friday, Apr. 12, 2024

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs is banning Lake St. Martin’s chief from its events and gatherings until sex-crime charges against him are resolved.

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The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs is banning Lake St. Martin’s chief from its events and gatherings until sex-crime charges against him are resolved.

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The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs is banning Lake St. Martin’s chief from its events and gatherings until sex-crime charges against him are resolved.

Christopher Traverse, 40, was arrested Feb. 1 and is facing charges of sexual assault, possessing and creating child pornography, and sexual interference. Police confirmed the arrest Wednesday and said the alleged incident happened in Winnipeg and involved an elementary school-aged girl.

“Recently, one of our member chiefs was charged with numerous criminal offences. These allegations are 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,” AMC Grand Chief Cathy Merrick said in a news release Friday.

Lake St. Martin First Nation Chief Christopher Traverse. (The Canadian Press files)

Merrick called on chiefs and other First Nations leadership to hold each other accountable.

“Our citizens, our elders and knowledge keepers, alongside other leaders, rightfully expect nothing less than exemplary behaviour from our chiefs,” she said. “This includes the responsibility of protecting our most vulnerable and sacred citizens: our children.”

Merrick said in the release, which does not name Traverse, that she has reached out to Lake St. Martin’s council to offer the AMC’s help “during this challenging time.”

Traverse professed his innocence in a written Facebook post Thursday. He said the accusations against him reported in the media are not true.

“I have maintained my innocence from Day 1, and I will continue to do so. I willingly participated with the Winnipeg Police Service on this matter, including requesting a polygraph to prove my innocence,” he said in the post. “As the investigation of this matter is ongoing, I am unable to disclose details. However, I can confirm that I will continue to co-operate with the authorities and I am anxious for the truth to be exposed: that I am innocent.”

Court records show Traverse made an appearance before a justice of the peace Feb. 2 and was released on bail. His next scheduled court date is July 3.

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca