Sexual assaults by Manitoba Hydro workers still happening, First Nations leader alleges

First Nations leader Sheila North saysIndigenous women are still being attacked byworkers linked to Manitoba Hydro projects.

Her comments come after a scathing report released last week by the Clean Environment Commission (CEC)alleged decadesof abuse, racism and sexual assault against Indigenous people by Hydro workers in Manitoba's north.

• Allegations of sexual abuse, racism revealed in report on hydro projects' impact in northern Manitoba

"It's been happening for decades and it has to stop. It has to come out in the light and people that participated or ignored it have to be held accountable to what's happening to our women and girls," said North who, up until May,was the grand chief of ManitobaKeewatinowiOkimakanak(MKO), which represents northern First Nations communities.

North believes the victim of a sexual assault in Gillam earlier this month is Indigenous and the perpetrator has a connection to a Manitoba Hydro project.

The RCMPasked for the public's help in solving a sexual assaulton a 32-year-old woman in a wooded area near a trailercourt in Gillam.

• Police search for suspect in sexual assault outside Gillam, Man., trailer court

North believes, based on the details of the incident released by the RCMP, it'slikely the same assault as the one sheheard about.

"I can't say with 100 per cent certainty, but I think it does has something to do with that," North said.

She also thinks the assault involves men working on a Hydro project in the area.

CBCNews has asked the RCMPfor an update ontheir investigation and whether it involves workers at a Hydro projectbut has yet to receive a response.

North saidallegedincidents of abuse and sexual assault spanning decadesshowthe need for more Indigenous control over who canwork on First Nations territories.

Government fromfederal to provincialand municipal governments have treated our First Nations like children for a long time-First Nations leader Sheila North

"There has to be a vetting system. There has to be a way where a committee from the community is able to give accreditation to whomever comes in and works in the community, whether it is in the health industry, the energy sector or in the education system," she said.

North doesn't have specifics as to what the system mightlook like, but she said it would probably include criminal background checks.

She believesthe casual way the Progressive Conservative government released the CEC report last Tuesday is indicative of a lack of respect shown to First Nations leaders.

"Government fromfederal to provincialand municipal governments have treated our First Nations like children for a long time,like we are inferior to these governments. But in actuality, we are not," North said.

Independent review needed: North

North saidthe relationship between Indigenous people in Manitoba's north and the RCMPhas improved over the last few years, but that some of that impression comes from how she was treated by officerswhen she was grand chief.

She saida review of historical sexual assaults allegedly ignored by the RCMP, according to the CEC report, should not be conductedby the Mounties.

"There should be an independent body that looks into that ... led by Indigenous people themselves," North said.

Opposition wants Indigenous-led committee

ThePC government announced last week it would strike a steering committee consisting of government and Manitoba Hydro employees to look at issues concerning northern communities, including racism, abuse and sexual assault.

On Monday,NDPOpposition leader Wab Kinewcalled on the government to havenorthern Indigenous communities take a lead roleon thecommittee.

"All those mistakes up to now of Hydro is because you haven't been listening to people in the communities affected. So if we want to restart, ifwe want a positive way forward, let's bring those people to the table, so their voices cannot just be heard, but those voices can direct and define the process," Kinew said.

A spokesperson for the provincial government did not respond specifically to North's proposal for community vetting or Kinew'sidea of inviting First Nations onto the steering committee.

"Given the seriousness of this report and the allegations that it contains, our government is consulting with the affected Indigenous communities to arrive at solutions that address the needs of those communities," the spokesperson wrote in an email.