Nickel Belt News Volume 61 • Issue 32
Friday, August 27, 2021
Thompson, Manitoba
Serving the Norman Region since 1961
14 people, mostly from Norway House, charged with sexually assaulting woman held against her will
Fourteen people, most of them from Norway House, are facing charges for the forcible confinement and sexual assault of a 34-yearold woman that was discovered Aug. 11. All but three of those facing charges are from Norway House. One of the alleged perpetrators remains at large and is being sought by Norway House RCMP. An officer was attending a residence as part of an ongoing investigation on Aug 11 when the woman came out of the residence and ran towards the police vehicle screaming for help. The officer saw that she was suffering from numerous serious injuries and she said she had been held against her will and repeatedly assaulted. More officers were called to the scene and entered the residence, arresting 11 people who were inside. The victim was taken to the Norway House nursing station and then transferred to hospital in Winnipeg for further treatment. Four of the accused – Kendra McKay, 29, Kiefer Menow, 29 and Stefan Monias, 30, all from Nor-
way House, as well as a 17-year-old female from Winnipeg – are charged with aggravated sexual assault, forcible confinement, uttering threats and assault and have been remanded into custody pending an appearance in provincial court in Norway House. Travis Apetagon, 40, turned himself into RCMP Aug. 20 and faces on charges of aggravated sexual assault, assault and forcible confinement. Eight others, including six women from Norway House ranging in age from 20 to 48, along with a 27-year-old male from Winnipeg and a 52-yearold male from St. Adolphe, are charged with aggravated sexual assault and forcible confinement. They were released and are scheduled to appear in provincial court on Nov. 18 in Norway House. Police are looking for Cody Monias, 36, from Norway House, on charges of aggravated sexual assault, forcible confinement and assault. Anyone with information on his whereabouts can call Norway House RCMP at 204-359-6483or Crime
RCMP photo Cody Monias, 36, of Norway House, is wanted on charges of assault, aggravated sexual assault and forcible confinement. Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477. “We are extremely saddened by and concerned about the violence that has happened in our community,” said Norway House Cree Nation Chief Larson
Anderson in an Aug. 20 press release from Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, (MKO), which represents 26 Northern Manitoba First Nations including Norway House, where the organization’s general assembly
wrapped up the same day police issued a press release about the assaults. “We are working to find solutions to support the wellness of our citizens and to help ensure this type of violence does not impact other young people. We need proper housing and programs to support the children, youth, and adults of all ages. In order to deliver programs that will help to prevent violence, we also need to see an increase in funding. We stand in solidarity with the young woman who has experienced such a terrible ordeal and we will advocate for her to receive the supports she will need in the months and years to come.” MKO Grand Chief Garrison Settee urged anyone with information on Monias’s whereabouts to come forward and said governments need to work urgently to implement the 231 calls for justice made by the National Inquiry in to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). “On behalf of MKO, I am deeply disturbed by the horrific violence experienced by the victim," said Settee.
"It is shocking to learn how many individuals are alleged to be involved in this serious assault. Brutal acts of violence were inflicted upon the victim and these acts will impact the victim for a lifetime. I am sending our support for the 34-yearold woman. We will also stand in solidarity with the victim as this case moves through the justice system and support the victim on the journey of healing from the trauma." “The trauma experienced by the victim is unimaginable; the physical scars will heal, but the emotional and mental scars can last a lifetime,” said Hilda Anderson-Pyrz, director of MKO’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Liaison Unit, which provides support to families and communities who are impacted by the issue of MMIWG, survivors of gender-based violence, and two spirit and gender-diverse people. “The young woman who was victimized is loved and she is sacred. The actions of the people who assaulted the young woman have caused so much trauma.”
Garrison Settee re-elected as Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak grand chief BY IAN GRAHAM
EDITOR@THOMPSONCITIZEN.NET
Garrison Settee was re-elected as Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) grand chief at the advocacy organization’s general assembly in Norway House Cree Nation Aug. 18, taking about 80 per cent of the 73 votes cast by member First Nations' chiefs and councillors. The other candidate, Ken Bighetty, received 15 votes. Settee, a member and former chief of Pimicikamak Cree Nation, was first elected as MKO grand chief in 2018. “I want to thank our chiefs and councillors for their sacred vote they’ve invested in my leadership,” said the re-elected grand chief. “It’s something that I will always take seriously and always take with a humble spirit. I want to work for our people in the north. I am humbled today to be able to be chosen by you and to have that trust in me to continue work in this role and move our people forward.” The grand chief also por-
trayed himself as a black sheep in his family, saying most of them are not political people and shun publicity. “They told me this is the last time,” Settee said. “You should stop running for things.” Bighetty, a former Mathias Colomb Cree Nation councillor, said he would continue trying to improve the lives of Indigenous youth and that he wouldn’t let defeat discourage him. “In three years’ time, I will be here as well, here to run for the position of grand chief,” he said, noting that he had received many messages of support and believed his campaign was one that may have resonated more with First Nations’ members than with their leaders. “Three years is not that long.” Settee thanked his opponent for running against him. “He’s a good man, a very good man,” said the grand chief, dedicating his campaign to the memories of late MKO staff member Clyde Flett and also to his brother, who died a few weeks ago.
Nickel Belt News photo courtesy of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Garrison Settee was re-elected as grand chief Aug. 18 during Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak’s general assembly in Norway House Cree Nation.