Alexander First Nation Chief Kurt Burnstick is scheduled to face trial on a sexual assault charge early next year.
The matter was addressed in Morinville provincial court last Thursday, and Judge Bruce Garriock confirmed the trial is set for January 11 to 13, 2017, in St. Albert. A pre-trial conference is scheduled in Edmonton for Sept. 30, 2016.
It was Burnstick’s third appearance; he had pleaded not guilty to the charge at a previous appearance.
An Alberta RCMP media release issued in March 4 indicated Morinville RCMP, with the assistance of provincial RCMP resources, investigated a December 2015 complaint Burnstick sexually assaulted a woman and they ultimately charged him.
Alberta RCMP Cpl. Laurel Scott confirmed police investigated a second sexual harassment complaint relating to a second woman, but no charges are expected in that case.
A press release issued March 4 by Cheryl Savoie, Alexander’s economic development officer, said there was a plan in the works to suspend Burnstick from his role as chief without pay, and that there were meetings planned with community members to get further direction.
A week later, the St. Albert Gazette and other media outlets received a letter from the First Nation indicating a “complete and total” blackout on all media outlets, citing “biased and uninformed statements” made in media broadcasts about Burnstick’s sexual assault charge.
“The impact is negative amongst our membership and we ask that you respect this decision of our people,” reads the letter, which is signed by Chief Burnstick and councillors Edwin Paul, Marty Arcand and Audra Arcand.
The letter states the media blackout “will remain in effect until further notice from Chief Burnstick.”
Following Thursday’s court appearance, Alexander First Nation spokesperson Marcel Arcand said the council and administration have no comment about the ongoing court proceedings, and he also confirmed the media ban is still in effect, with no current plans to end it.
“We’ll communicate that when we’re ready to,” he said.
