Thunder BayThe chief of Gull Bay First Nation in northwestern Ontario has been charged with sexual assault, according to court documents obtained by CBC News. Here’s what we know so far about the case involving the chief, who was re-elected just last weekend. Wilfred King, 61, was re-elected over the weekendSarah Law · CBC News · Posted: Nov 19, 2025 3:43 PM EST | Last Updated: 1 hour agoListen to this articleEstimated 2 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by text-to-speech, a technology based on artificial intelligence.Wilfred King, chief of Gull Bay First Nation, is seen at an Ottawa news conference in this December 2022 file photo. He was re-elected as chief over the weekend. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press)Warning: This article references alleged sexual assault. The chief of Gull Bay First Nation in northwestern Ontario has been charged with sexual assault.According to court documents obtained by CBC News, Wilfred King was arrested by the Thunder Bay Police Service on Monday and charged with one count of sexual assault.An alleged assault took place sometime between Aug. 1, 1992, and Sept. 30, 1992 in Thunder Bay, according to the documents.None of the allegations have been proven in court.King, 61, was re-elected as chief of Gull Bay, also known as Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek, on Saturday. He received 292 votes, well ahead of the second-place candidate, who received 60 votes.Gull Bay is an Ojibway community on the western shores of Lake Nipigon, roughly 200 kilometres north of Thunder Bay. Fewer than 400 people live there.King is expected to appear in court on Jan. 14.Victims of sexual assault are not alone. Faye Peterson House’s 24/7 crisis support line in Thunder Bay can be reached at 807-345-0450 or 1-800-465-6971 or by text message at 807-700-5011. You can also access crisis lines and local support services through this government of Canada website or the Ending Violence Association of Canada database. If you’re in immediate danger or fear for your safety or that of others around you, call 911.ABOUT THE AUTHORSarah Law is a CBC News reporter based in Thunder Bay, Ont., and has also worked for newspapers and online publications elsewhere in the province. Have a story tip? You can reach her at sarah.law@cbc.ca
Chief of Gull Bay First Nation in northwestern Ontario charged with sexual assault
