A serious charge against Sturgeon Lake’s Henry Felix has been dropped.
A rape charge, relating to an alleged sexual assault dating back to 1974, was laid against Felix more than a year ago. Back then, the legal term was rape.
Through researching SGI records, searched land registry at the time and interviewing people, Felix’s lawyer Ron Cherkewich said the allegations weren’t matching up with the facts.
“(We) came to the conclusion based on that that there is very little substance to the charges and in fact the charges may have been invented,” Cherkewich said.
He said it’s rare for defence to disclose information like this to the Crown prosecutor because it could reveal how they plan to approach a case, but in this case he did. The Crown had laid the charge on behalf of the alleged victim.
“For the last year the prosecution and the RCMP have been reviewing this file. Obviously on reviewing it they came to the same conclusion we did,” Cherkewich said.
On Tuesday Cherkewich and Felix went to Prince Albert Provincial Court since that was the next day Felix’s matter was scheduled. The matter wasn’t on the court docket, which confirmed a letter they’d received from the Attorney General saying the charge had been stayed.
“The world has been lifted off my shoulders,” Felix said.
Felix was elected chief of Sturgeon Lake in May of 2013, but his title has been embroiled in legal and local turmoil since that time.
He was disqualified as a candidate by the chief electoral officer who said he owed money to the band. Craig Bighead was elected chief in a subsequent by-election.
Depending who you ask, you’ll get a different answer on whether or not Felix was the chief during this whole process.
Felix said he has mixed feelings, but relates the allegation of rape to political strife.
“It was just very few people that really pushed this issue and I believe that it was all politically motivated. And I didn’t know politics were going to be really, that dirty. If I knew how it was going to hurt my family I would have never, ever decided to challenge the leadership,” he said.
But he with this matter now done with, Felix said he’s looking to the future. He isn’t expecting it to be easy.
“My next plan is to open communication with council, open communication with the whole band membership and hopefully start fresh with fresh ideas,” he said.
Felix has issued a notice for a band council meeting for Wednesday, August 26.
(With past files from Fraser Needham)