Content Warning:
The following story contains descriptions of alleged sexual assault and may be distressing to some readers. Reader discretion is advised.
FORT MCMURRAY, Alberta— A civil lawsuit has been filed against Fort McKay First Nations Chief Raymond Powder, alleging sexual assaults dating back to the 1970s and 1980s. Harvard Media News has obtained a statement of claim filed in the Court of King’s Bench, accusing Powder of sexual assault and sexual battery.
According to court documents, one plaintiff alleges they were sexually assaulted and sexually battered by Powder, including forced penetration. The second plaintiff states that Powder provided them with alcohol and later sexually assaulted them after they had passed out. The lawsuit references a third alleged victim listed as a John Doe, whose identity will be revealed at trial.
This is a civil case, and the allegations do not represent criminal charges. None of the claims have yet been proven in court.
Harvard Media News has confirmed the veracity of the documents and case with the plaintiffs’ legal counsel. Attempts to contact Chief Powder for comment have been unsuccessful, and the Communications Coordinator for the Fort McKay First Nation has stated they are not at liberty to comment on the case at this time.
The case is now pending trial, with no set date for proceedings.