Innu Chief Mike McKenzie accused of sexually assaulting minor

Mike McKenzie, the recently re-elected chief of the Innu community of Uashat-Maliotenam on Quebec's North Shore, has been arrested and isfacing three charges related to the alleged sexual abuse of girl who was under the age of 14 at the time.

According to the arrest warrantissued in Sept-les on June 20, the alleged incidents took place over a period of nearly a year, between June 15, 2000, and May 20, 2001.

McKenzie is facing three charges:

• One count of sexual touching.
• One count of invitation to sexual touching.
• One count of sexual assault.

At his inauguration ceremony last April, shortly after his re-election as chief of Uashat-Maliotenam, McKenzie commented on what he calleda "deplorable smear campaign" against him.

He denouncedhis detractors and accusedthem of sullying not just his reputation but the reputation of the entire Innu community of 3,000located near Sept-les,about640 kilometres northwest of Quebec City.

Some protesters were present at thatceremony, calling on McKenzie to step down from political office.

"I have never, under any circumstance, committed reprehensible acts against anyone," McKenzie said at that time."My spirit and my conscienceare perfectly clear."

• Chief of Uashat-Maliotenam accuses protesters of smear campaign