ManitobaThe trial of a First Nations chief accused of sexual assault has begun in Winnipeg.Christopher Traverse pleads not guilty to sexual assault, sexual interference, child pornCBC News · Posted: Mar 31, 2025 2:34 PM EDT | Last Updated: 1 hour agoOn Monday, Christopher Traverse, the chief of Lake St. Martin First Nation, pleaded not guilty to sexual assault, sexual interference and child pornography in Manitoba provincial court. (Chelsea Kemp/CBC)The trial of a First Nations chief accused of sexual assault has begun in Winnipeg.Christopher Traverse, who was the leader of Lake St. Martin First Nation at the time of his arrest last year, pleaded not guilty to sexual assault, sexual interference and child pornography this morning in provincial court.Court heard from the complainant, who was eight at the time of the alleged offences. In a video statement played in court, the girl claimed Traverse forced her into a bathroom in his home in Winnipeg in December 2023, took photos of her and sexually assaulted her.Investigators became aware of the allegations after the girl’s mother found one of the photos on the girl’s cellphone and reported it to police.Traverse was charged last February and has been out on bail since his arrest.In March 2024, Lake St. Martin elders asked Traverse to resign, but he said he would not step down. A month later, Traverse was removed from the Interlake Reserves Tribal Council (IRTC)’s board of directors and barred from Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs events. Traverse remains the chief of Lake St. Martin First Nation, although he no longer has governance powers, Chief Cornell McLean, IRTC chair, confirmed to CBC on Monday. Acting chief Brad Beardy is currently serving as the First Nation’s interim leader.More from CBC Manitoba: CorrectionsA previous version of this article’s headline referred to Traverse as Lake St. Martin First Nation’s former chief. In fact, he is still the chief. Mar 31, 2025 5:24 PM EDTwith files from The Canadian Press
Sexual assault trial for Lake St. Martin First Nation chief begins in Winnipeg court
