Lake St. Martin chief banned from AMC events over sex-offense charges – Winnipeg Free Press

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs has banned a Lake St. Martin chief from events and gatherings until sex-crime charges are resolved.

Christopher Travers, 40, was arrested on February 1 and charged with sexual assault, possession and production of child pornography and sexual intercourse. Police confirmed the arrest Wednesday and said the alleged incident took place in Winnipeg and involved an elementary school-aged girl.

“Recently one of our member chiefs was charged with multiple criminal charges. These allegations are serious and deeply disturbing. “While I acknowledge that this executive has been charged and not convicted of these crimes, I want to make it clear that AMC unequivocally condemns his alleged actions,” AMC Grand CEO Cathy Merrick said in a press release Friday.

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

“Our citizens, elders and educators, along with other leaders, expect nothing less than exemplary behavior from our leaders,” he said. “This includes the responsibility to protect our most vulnerable and sacred citizens: our children.”

Merrick said in an unnamed Traverse release that he reached out to the Lake St. Martin board to offer AMC assistance “at this difficult time.”

Travers pleaded not guilty in a written Facebook post on Thursday. According to him, the accusations against him in the media are untrue.

“I have maintained my innocence from day one and will continue to do so. I am willing to take this matter to the Winnipeg Police Service, including taking a polygraph to prove my innocence,” he said in the post. “As the investigation in this case is ongoing, I cannot give details. However, I can confirm that I will continue to cooperate with the authorities and I want the truth to be revealed: that I am innocent.”

Court records show Travers appeared in magistrate court on Feb. 2 and was released on bond. His next court hearing is scheduled for July 3.

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