Chief is due in court in February to face charge
The chief of the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation has been charged with sexual assault, according to the Yukon RCMP.
The chief of the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation has been charged with sexual assault, according to the Yukon RCMP.
In a statement released Wednesday afternoon, RCMP state that Roger Kyikavichik was arrested on Dec. 23 as a result of allegations that a sexual assault had occurred in the fall of 2014.
The Yukon RCMP received the complaint in August 2015, and the specialized response unit began its investigation into the allegation.
Kyikavichik was later released by the RCMP on strict conditions.
He will appear in Yukon territorial court on Feb. 2 in Old Crow.
The RCMP stated that no further information can be released, as the matter is now before the courts.
Kyikavichik was elected as chief of the Vuntut Gwichin First Nation in 2014.
The First Nation’s constitution indicates that an elected officer convicted of an indictable offence may be removed from his or her office.
If the chief were to be convicted, a review council would assemble to decide whether the chief would be removed from office.
Vuntut Gwitchin MLA Darius Elias was unavailable to comment on the effect the matter may have on the community and First Nation.
Spokespeople from the First Nation were also unavailable for comment, as their offices are closed until Jan. 4.
Comments (3)
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Just Sayin' on Jan 4, 2016 at 4:18 pm
You know from what I have heard from Elder's people who commit such acts such as this Chief, would go out on a hunting trip and never come back; wonder why that type of sentencing isn't used anymore? I know, innocent until proven guilty !
Up 42 Down 15
Arn Anderson on Jan 3, 2016 at 8:22 pm
Innocent until proven guilty.
Up 59 Down 52
YukonMax on Jan 2, 2016 at 12:16 pm
Here we go again...Nothing a good "circle sentencing" session can't fix I suppose?