Over 200 people sign letter calling for inquiry into suspended AMC Grand Chief Arlen Dumas

An open letter to theAssembly of Manitoba Chiefs, signed by more than 200 people including several politicians and other prominent individuals is calling for an independent inquiry into suspendedGrand Chief Arlen Dumas.

The letter, sent to the AMC and posted on social media channels on Monday, demands transparency from the organization in its handling of asexual assault complaint against Dumas, as well as better support for those traumatized by the allegation.

"It is a long, painful and often silent journey for individuals who have been subjected to violence, especially by those who wear bonnets of honour and warriorship," states the letter, signed by numerous community leaders, includingManitoba NDP MLAsNahanni Fontaine and Bernadette Smith and NDPWinnipeg Centre member of Parliament Leah Gazan.

Former MPand actorTina Keeperis also a signatory, along with several doctors, lawyers andadvocatesfor missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.

The vast majority of names appearto be women. Three community organizations were also signatories the Social Planning Council of Winnipeg, the West Central Women's Resource Centre and Ka Ni Kanichihk Inc.

"I am so very proud of all the people that took a great personal risk to support the many victims that have been silenced by the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs," MMIWG activistSandra DeLaronde wrote in a Facebook post Tuesday night, a day after she posted the original open letter and called for more people to sign.

"I believe the victims of sexualized violencecan take strength from the over 200 signatories of this open letter. You are not alone," she wrote.

Dumaswas suspended in March following an allegation he harassed and sexually assaulted acolleague at the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, an organization that advocates on behalf of First Nations in Manitoba.

In a letter sentto the assembly'sexecutive council of chiefs andobtained by CBC News in March, the womansaidaformal complaint had been filed with the Winnipeg Police Service's sex crimes unit.

Dumas has not been charged and the allegations have not been tested in court.

According to theopen letter posted by DeLaronde, other women have since come forward and additional allegations were made on or about May 31.

Police will not confirm complaints unless an incident number is provided, and even thenwill not confirm any of the individuals involved.

CBChas repeatedly requested comment from Dumas since March but he has not responded.

DeLaronde'sletter calls for an independent commission of inquiryco-developed and co-led by AMCand victim advocates.Such an inquiry could take place concurrentto a police criminal investigation and "centre the victims as we so often talk about needing to do," it says.

"Your decisions impact not only today, but for generations to come."

The letter says two requests havebeen made for a meeting with the AMC'sacting grand chiefonce on March 30 and again on April 4but that has not been granted.

The acting grand chief at the timewas Eric Redhead. He stepped down in mid-April and was elected Tuesday as the NDPMLA for Thompson.

Cornell McLeanis now serving in the acting grand chief role.

No further allegations made, AMC says

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefsdisputes the claimthat more people have come forward with allegations against Dumas.

In news release issued Tuesday, spokespersonAmanda Fredlundsaid no formal complaints, beyond theone filed in March, have beenbrought to the assembly regarding Dumas.

The AMC has also not been notified by the police of any additionalcriminal complaints, she said.

Fredlundnotedan investigation into the allegationis nearing completion and the report will likely be presented to the AMC's personnel and financecommittee by the end of June.

The AMC has previously said itwill hold a non-confidence vote to decide whetherDumas should continue in his position following the investigation.

Fredlundacknowledged there have been "several advocates who have kindly offered assistance with this process," and said while theAMC"appreciates their well-meaning intentions,"there are legal obligations that must adhered to, includingmaintaining workplace confidentiality and impartiality.

"The AMC cannot undertake any process that would jeopardize its legal obligations in relation to the investigation," she stated in the release.

DeLaronde lashed out at that response in her Facebook post, saying while the AMC presentsitself as a government for its people, it has "chosen to act on the advice of its lawyers"and dismiss anopportunity to engage with the victims.

"Once again they have rendered the women to be without agency," DeLaronde wrote.