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Pinehouse man convicted of assaults removed from Northlands College board

Dec 5, 2018 | 4:09 PM

A Pinehouse Lake man convicted multiple times of assault has been removed from his recent appointment to the board of Northlands College.

The announcement came after Premier Scott Moe rose in the legislature to address concerns raised by the NDP about the college’s board during Question Period. He said the appointment of Vince Natomagan to the boards of Northlands College and the Community Initiatives Fund has been cancelled and changes to how individuals are appointed will likely be coming soon.

“We’re going to look at best practices for such appointments, including what is done in other jurisdictions across the nation, and will be coming forward with a policy that quite likely will include the disclosure of criminal records in the future,” Moe said.

Advanced Education Minister Tina Beaudry-Mellor told the media Dec. 4 she was horrified to learned of Natomagan’s convictions when they were brought to light by the NDP that day. It was only last month Natomagan and several others were appointed to the college’s board of directors after being given her approval. Natomagan has criminal convictions going back to when he was found guilty of assault in 1989, and between then and 2009, he was found guilty of assault eight-times. He has also been convicted of assault causing bodily harm, uttering threats and failure to comply with a probation order.

“I’m not sure how it was missed to be honest with you,” she told reporters after being question in the legislature by the NDP. “Today was the first time I had heard about the criminal convictions, particularly in respect to domestic violence and I am horrified.”

In the weeks prior to being appointed to the board, Natomagan pled guilty to assault and uttering threats, and was given a conditional discharge. larongeNOW was unable to reach Natomagan for an interview, but in a Facebook post he responded to news reports.

“I think everybody knows I screwed up last summer by being a closet alcoholic and hitting my wife on the head while blacked-out!” he wrote. “I don’t deserve to represent anyone in any shape or form.”

In respect to appointing the board at Northlands College, Beaudry-Mellor stated Natomagan was nominated by the community who submitted a list of accomplishments for her to consider.

derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno