Sexual assault allegations are being made against a former local Priest.
Allan Adam, Chief of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, made the claim about Father J.A. Turcotte while speaking to a large crowd following the ‘Bring Our Children Home Healing Rally’ held on Canada Day.
These allegations, which included putting his hand down children’s pants, took place while he was at the Holy Angels Residential School in Fort Chipewyan.
Turcotte spent 40 years working in the region.
According to the Fort McMurray Today, an elder, who wished to remain unnamed, corroborated the claims.
Both Adam and the unnamed elder were forced to attend Holy Angels, however, Adam did not
Mix News has reached out to the Roman Catholic Diocese of St. Paul, which oversees Fort McMurray’s parishes, though they have not responded.
None of these allegations have been proven in court.
Meanwhile, the Fort McMurray Catholic School District is taking these allegations very seriously.
Father Turcotte School is named after the Priest.
“Fort McMurray Catholic Schools will continue to actively listen. Listening may at times be uncomfortable, we will not be pleased with all we hear and learn, but we will continue to have tough conversations and move forward together,” said George McGuigan, Superintendent of the FMCSD.
He didn’t specify whether they would be investigating the claims and if they would consider changing the school’s name.
McGuigan added they do plan on working with all Indigenous communities towards truth and reconciliation.
