Alexander Chief Kurt Burnstick will face a “wall of red” Wednesday morning as he enters the St. Albert court to face trial for sexual assault.
The Alexander Women Warriors, a group of Alexander First Nation members, plan to stage a peaceful protest outside the court in downtown St. Albert on the first morning of the three-day trial.
Burnstick was charged with sexual assault last March in relation to a complaint made in December 2015. He pleaded not guilty in a Morinville courtroom last June.
The chief was charged with two more counts of sexual assault, as well as a related break and enter charge in September. The first count of sexual assault allegedly took place between July 1 and Aug. 30, 1985. The second count of sexual assault allegedly took place between Sept. 1 and Sept. 30, 1985; the same date as the break and enter.
Burnstick is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 20 to enter a plea on these charges.
The Alexander Woman Warriors do not want Burnstick to continue to represent the first nation community. In September, the group organized a rally to demand the chief’s resignation.
Burnstick refused, issuing the following statement: "While I take the issue of sexual assault very seriously, I deny the allegations made against me, and will vigorously defend myself in court."
The group is organizing a peaceful gathering outside the St. Albert Provincial Court, where Burnstick is being tried. The silent vigil will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Jan. 11. Participants will wear red in solidarity with the victims of sexual violence.
