Arlen Dumas holds a portrait of himself as grand chief of Manitoba. Photo: APTN file
A non-confidence vote on the leadership of Arlen Dumas, the suspended grand chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, is on hold.
A notice on the advocacy organization’s website says the May 4 vote has been postponed until an internal investigation is completed. The vote was set for May 4.
“The Executive Council of Chiefs (ECC) remains committed to ensuring that the investigation is completed in a timely manner and that the AMC workplace is free of harassment,” said the notice from AMC, which represents chiefs of 62 First Nations in Manitoba.
Dumas was suspended from his role in March after being accused of sexual assault by a senior staff member. Winnipeg police confirm they are investigating but the allegation has not been tested nor proven.
Dumas has not spoken publicly since the complainant alleged in a letter to AMC that he sexually assaulted her and harassed her on the job.
AMC has since pledged to review and improve its workplace culture and harassment policies. It has also hired an outside law firm to investigate the allegations.
“While the ECC had hoped that the workplace investigation would be completed before the upcoming May 4, 2022, Special Chiefs-in-Assembly non-confidence vote, the investigation remains ongoing,” the notice said.
“The Chiefs resolved to cancel the May 4, 2022, Special Chiefs Assembly and non-confidence vote and reschedule the Assembly to take place after the completion of the investigation.”
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The notice added “investigators and the Complainant requested that the ECC provide direction regarding procedural steps involved in the investigation. This has caused a delay in the process.”
