Latest news with #RoyWhitney
CTV News
5 days ago
- CTV News
BREAKING: Tsuut'ina Nation chief charged in 2 historical sexual assaults
Tsuut'ina First Nation Chief Roy Whitney, seen in this video clip from 2022, has been charged with two counts of sexual assault by the Edmonton Police Service in connection with incidents in 1994 and 2005. (File) Tsuut'ina Nation Chief Roy Whitney has been charged with sexual assault by the Edmonton Police Service. EPS says the offences involved two adult males. The first incident, in early 1994, involved a 33-year-old man who said he was assaulted in the area of 178 Street and 87 Avenue. The second incident, in summer 2005, involved a 38-year-old man who was allegedly assaulted in the area of Stony Plain Road and 178 Street. Police were notified about the first assault in November 2024 and, during the investigation, learned about the second assault this past May. Whitney, 71, was arrested in Calgary and charged with two counts of sexual assault. Officials say the details of the incident may be unsettling, especially given that the accused is in a position of power in his community. However, EPS said releasing the information is important given the historic nature of the offences. 'Our investigators are letting members of the public know that it's OK to come forward and share your experiences with us,' said Det. Brian McGuigan with the EPS sexual assault section. 'We want to ensure that we investigate any additional reports of events that happened in Edmonton so that we can be a part of meaningful healing for this community and those who may have been harmed by this individual.' Anyone who believes they have been victimized by the accused is asked to contact EPS at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. EPS can also provide appropriate support.
CTV News
5 days ago
- CTV News
Tsuut'ina Nation chief charged in 2 historical sexual assaults in Edmonton
Tsuut'ina First Nation Chief Roy Whitney, seen in this video clip from 2022, has been charged with two counts of sexual assault by the Edmonton Police Service in connection with incidents in 1994 and 2005. (File) Tsuut'ina Nation Chief Roy Whitney has been charged with sexual assault by the Edmonton Police Service. EPS says the offences involved two adult males. The first incident, in early 1994, involved a 33-year-old man who said he was assaulted in the area of 178 Street and 87 Avenue. The second incident, in summer 2005, involved a 38-year-old man who was allegedly assaulted in the area of Stony Plain Road and 178 Street. Police were notified about the first assault in November 2024 and, during the investigation, learned about the second assault this past May. Whitney, 71, was arrested in Calgary and charged with two counts of sexual assault. Officials say the details of the incident may be unsettling, especially given that the accused is in a position of power in his community. However, EPS said releasing the information is important given the historic nature of the offences. 'Our investigators are letting members of the public know that it's OK to come forward and share your experiences with us,' said Det. Brian McGuigan with the EPS sexual assault section. 'We want to ensure that we investigate any additional reports of events that happened in Edmonton so that we can be a part of meaningful healing for this community and those who may have been harmed by this individual.' Anyone who believes they have been victimized by the accused is asked to contact EPS at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. EPS can also provide appropriate support.
CBC
5 days ago
- CBC
Edmonton police charge Tsuut'ina Nation Chief Roy Whitney with 2 counts of sexual assault
Edmonton police have charged 71-year-old Tsuut'ina Nation Chief Roy Whitney with sexual assault in relation to alleged offences against two men decades ago. Police said in a news release issued Thursday afternoon that the first offence occurred in "the early months" of 1994, when a 33-year-old male was sexually assaulted "in the area of 178 Street and 87 Avenue in Edmonton." The second offence is alleged to have occurred in "the summer of 2005," police said, when a 38-year-old male was sexually assaulted "in the area of Stony Plain Road and 178 Street in Edmonton." Police say they were initially alerted to the 1994 incident in November 2024. As they investigated, they then became aware of the 2005 incident and launched a separate investigation into that incident in May of this year. "The complainants, who are both from Tsuut'ina Nation, are known to the suspect but unknown to one another," police said. Whitney was arrested by Edmonton police on Wednesday and charged with two counts of sexual assault. 'There may be additional complainants' "We understand that offences of this nature can be unsettling to community members, especially when they pertain to individuals who were in positions of authority and were often relied on for leadership and guidance," Det. Brian McGuigan with the Edmonton Police Service's Sexual Assault Section said in the news release. "Given the historic nature of these occurrences, our investigators are letting members of the public know that it's OK to come forward and share your experiences with us. We want to ensure that we investigate any additional reports of events that happened in Edmonton so that we can be a part of meaningful healing for this community and those who may have been harmed by this individual." Edmonton police also said "there may be additional complainants" and are asking "anyone who believes they have been victimized by the accused" to reach out to them at at 780-423-4567 or by dialling #377 from a mobile phone. Edmonton police said the Calgary Police Service assisted in the investigations.
Calgary Herald
27-06-2025
- General
- Calgary Herald
'More than words': Newly opened Tsúùtʼínà centre aims to preserve nation's language
In a demonstration of cultural revival, Tsúùtʼínà Nation officials celebrated the opening Friday of a new centre dedicated to preserving their language. Article content Chief Roy Whitney and representatives from the Nation's language institute (Tsúùtʼínà Gūnáhà Nás?ághà) unveiled the new language house, located just west of Calgary near the Seven Chiefs Sportsplex and Jim Starlight Centren. The ribbon was cut after counting down from 10 in the Tsúùtʼínà Gūnáhà language. Article content Article content Article content The ribbon-cutting was preceded by speeches and a traditional pipe ceremony to bless the new centre, which in Tsúùtʼínà Gūnáhà will be called Tina Isgiyá / Ichi Ósà ùwa Gùja Nízaá Násʔághà Article content Article content The language house is named in honour of the late Tsúùtʼínà Chief Xakiji Clifford Big Plume (Tina isgiyá – Road Boy), who passed in 2023, and his wife Vanora Gloria Big Plume (Gùja Nizaá – Good aim), who passed away last November. Article content Their granddaughter, Kelsey Big Plume, said her grandparents passed down to her the importance of tradition and respect, and the power of the Tsúùtʼínà language. Article content 'Today, we carry their legacy forward,' she said at Friday's event. 'Their name on this building is not just a tribute, but a reminder of the importance of remembering who we are when we're speaking our Gūnáhà proudly. Article content Article content 'Every word spoken here will carry the voices of those who came before us and shape the voices yet to come.' Article content Clifford Big Plume served as Tsúùtʼínà Chief from 1976 to 1984, and then again from 1986 to 1988. During his tenure as leader, he established the Nation's cultural centre and museum and was the first Chief to secure funding for Tsúùtʼínà language programming, according to the program for Friday's ceremony. Article content His wife Vanora Big Plume was a respected matriarch who 'made significant contributions as a community health worker and education liaison, both on and off the reserve,' the program stated. Her beadwork will be featured throughout the building.
Global News
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Global News
First Nations in Alberta, Saskatchewan vow to oppose any efforts to separate Alberta from Canada
A growing number of First Nations leaders are voicing their concerns over calls for Alberta to separate from Canada — calls that have grown louder following the recent federal election. On Friday, following on the heels of several other First Nations who have expressed opposition to the idea, the Chiefs of four Calgary-area First Nations also issued a statement saying that 'any efforts to separate will be met with our full opposition.' While the Chiefs express some sympathy with the 'deep frustration echoing across Alberta and much of the Prairies,' saying as leaders 'we too often feel unheard,' they also insist that 'First Nations will not separate.' The Chiefs said that large swaths of Alberta are governed by 'sacred treaties' between First Nations and the 'Imperial Crown,' including treaties 6, 7 and 8, and those areas 'are held in trust by the Crown for the benefit of the Treaty First Nations, not as property of the provincial government.' Story continues below advertisement The statement adds that those treaties also predate Alberta's entry into Confederation in 1905. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The statement is endorsed by Chief Roy Whitney of the Tsuut'ina Nation, Chief Darcy Dixon of the Bearspaw Nation, Chief Aaron Young of the Chiniki Nation and Chief Clifford Poucette of the Goodstoney Nation. View image in full screen First Nations' Chiefs say that treaties that cover a large swath of Alberta pre-date the province's entry into Confederation and they are vowing that any efforts at Alberta separation 'will be met with their full opposition.' Global News Late Thursday, the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, which represents 74 First Nations in Saskatchewan, also issued a statement expressing its 'serious concern over Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's recent actions to facilitate a potential referendum on Alberta's future in Canada.' 'We are the first peoples of these lands and waters,' said FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron. 'Those that want to leave are free to do so but all the lands, waters, and resources are First Nations.' 'Any process of separation that fails to honour the true spirit and intent of our treaties would violate both constitutional and international law,' added Chief Cameron. Story continues below advertisement Following Monday's federal election, Smith's United Conservative Party government proposed legislation that would make it easier for citizens of Alberta to call for a vote to secede from Canada. Smith responded to claims she is stoking the fires of separation by saying she supports a sovereign Alberta within a united Canada. — with files from The Canadian Press
