Métis flag. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Lawsuit

Former Métis Nation-Sask. president suing Métis Nation of Alberta, RCMP over sexual assault allegations

Jul 17, 2022 | 8:00 AM

The former president of the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan (MNS) is suing the Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) and RCMP.

In a statement of claim filed in the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta, Dwayne Roth claims members of the MNA made false sexual assault allegations and that the RCMP didn’t properly investigate.

Roth, who is from Buffalo Narrows, led the MNS from 2004 to 2006.

In June 2020, he was officially charged with two counts of sexual assault stemming from an alleged incident in Lac La Biche, AB. On Jun. 6, 2022, he was found not guilty after the Crown prosecutor called no evidence.

Roth claims the allegations caused him to lose his job as CEO and corporate counsel of the Fort McKay Métis Group Ltd., be vilified in his community and on social media, and suffer from stress and anxiety.

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As to why he believes the MNA made up this allegation, Roth noted it may stem from the political dispute they had with his employer, Ron Quintal, who had tried to be elected as the MNA’s president during a 2018 election. He ultimately lost to incumbent Audrey Poitras.

He also added the move by the Fort McKay Métis Nation to withdraw from the MNA, along with five other communities, forming the Alberta Métis Federation (AMF).

Roth is also suing the RCMP as he claims they didn’t interview 13 witnesses from the alleged assault who would have exonerated him.

In a statement to paNOW, the RCMP said they have received the statement of claim and they have until Aug. 12 to file a statement of defense.

paNOW has also reached out to the Métis Nation of Alberta but has not received a response.

Roth is seeking around $10 million in damages from the lawsuit.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow