Vuntut Gwitchin chief, Roger Kyikavichik, arrested on sexual assault charge
Allegations stem from incident in fall of 2014
Roger Kyikavichik, chief of the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation, faces a charge of sexual assault, Yukon RCMP said Wednesday.
The charge stems from an alleged incident in the fall of 2014. Police say the charge was filed in Yukon Territorial Court Wednesday, although Kyikavichik was arrested Dec. 23.
In a news release, RCMP said they first received the complaint in September, 2015.
Following his arrest, Kyikavichik was released on conditions. He's scheduled to appear in court in Old Crow, Feb. 2, 2016.
RCMP said they would not release any more information about the case because it's before the courts.
The First Nation's constitution says a chief must be convicted of an indictable offence before the chief can be removed from office. If the chief is convicted a council of leaders would meet to determine if the chief's office should be declared vacant.
Kyikavichik was elected chief in November, 2014. He also served as chief from 1988 to 1992.