Arlen Dumas (born 1974 or 1975) is a Canadian Cree leader.
Arlen Dumas | |
|---|---|
| Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs | |
| Succeeded by | Cathy Merrick |
| In office 2017–2021 | |
| In office 2021–2022 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1974 or 1975 Pukatawagan, Manitoba, Canada |
| Alma mater | Mount Allison University |
Life
editDumas was born and raised in Pukatawagan, Manitoba. He began attending Lakefield College School in Ontario at age 16, and graduated from Mount Allison University in 1999 with a degree in Political Science and Canadian Studies. Following his graduation, he lived in Toronto for a year as a stay at home father, and then worked in Toronto for several years as a community centre director.[1]
In 2008, Dumas, aged 33, was elected chief of the Mathias Colomb First Nation.[1][2]
Dumas has participated in the Idle No More movement,[1] and in activism against the Hudbay Minerals company beginning in 2013.[3][4]
In 2017, Dumas was elected grand chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, succeeding Perry Bellegarde.[2] In 2019 he left the role for two weeks following an accusation of catfishing,[5][6] with the role being temporarily filled by Chief Sheldon Kent of Black River First Nation.[7] He was re-elected to the role in 2021.[8][9] In March 2022, Dumas was suspended from the position following allegations of sexual harassment from a former female staff member;[10] he was formally removed in August 2022 following an independent investigation into the matter.[9][11] In August 2023, Dumas was sued by the former staff member, who alleged he had raped and sexually harassed her.[12] Dumas launched a countersuit against the woman in November 2023.[13]
After being removed from the grand chief position, Dumas took the role of Health Services director at Quest Health Clinic Inc.[14]
Personal life
editDumas' son, who had cystic fibrosis, died in 2019.[5]
References
edit- ^ a b c Lombard, Melissa (2016). "Trailblazer". Mount Allison. Retrieved 2024-09-07.
- ^ a b "Arlen Dumas elected grand chief of Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs". Yahoo News. CBC. 2017-07-19. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
- ^ Small, Rachel; Jefferson, Joanne (2014-02-14). "Hudbay Minerals: Confronting a Corporate Criminal". A\J. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
- ^ "Chief Dumas calls for redirecting mining profits". Flin Flon Reminder. 2017-07-22. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
- ^ a b Lambert, Steven (2019-07-13). "Arlen Dumas takes leave as Grand Chief of Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs". Globalnews.ca. The Canadian Press. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
- ^ Macintosh, Maggie (2019-08-01). "Aug 2019: 'I'm fabulous': AMC grand chief returns after inappropriate text allegations". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
- ^ "AMC Grand Chief Arlen Dumas goes on leave to 'heal' after Facebook allegations". CBC. 2019-07-12.
- ^ "Arlen Dumas re-elected as grand chief of Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs". CBC. The Canadian Press. 2021-07-14.
- ^ a b Lambert, Steve (2022-08-08). "Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs removes Arlen Dumas as grand chief over sexual harassment". DiscoverWestman. The Canadian Press. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
- ^ Kitching, Chris (2022-03-18). "Mar 2022: AMC suspends grand chief Dumas amid sex assault allegation". Brandon Sun. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
- ^ "Arlen Dumas denies sexual assault allegations, launches countersuit against woman". CBC. 2023-11-15.
- ^ Shebahkeget, Ozten (2023-09-06). "Ousted Manitoba grand chief faces lawsuit over sexual assault accusations by former employee". CBC.
- ^ Unger, Danton (2023-11-16). "Former grand chief countersues woman accusing him of sexual assault". Winnipeg. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
- ^ Martens, Kathleen (2023-10-17). "Former AMC chief removed for workplace harassment now employed at First Nations health centre". APTN News.