N.W.T. ex-chief charged with sexual assault

Joe Rabesca, who was until recently a top Dene leader in the Northwest Territories, has been accused of sexually assaulting a woman.

Rabesca, who was grand chief of the Tlicho aboriginal government until last week, was formally charged with sexual assault on Monday, according to court documents obtained by CBC News Friday.

A justice of the peace in Yellowknife released the 61-year-oldon conditions that he not contact the alleged victim or consume drugs or alcohol.

The sexual assault charge stems from an alleged incident on or around Oct. 13 in Behchoko, N.W.T.,according to court documents.

At the time of the alleged incident, Rabesca wasembroiled in a leadership dispute with the Tlicho government's assembly, after members pointed out that he was not attending assembly meetings.

Rabesca, a longtime Dene leader who was most recently elected Tlicho grand chief just over a year ago, had refused to attend the government's last two assemblies, making him eligible for impeachment.

'Effectively resigned' as chief

The dispute came to a head on Oct. 20, when Rabesca asked the assembly to grant him three months of paid leave so he could deal with personal issues. That request was denied.

The Tlicho government announced two days later that Rabesca had "effectively resigned" as grand chief.

Following Rabesca's departure, Alphonse Apples was appointed acting grand chief. Tlicho officials have saidthey will discuss the process for electing a new grand chief when they next meet in December.

Rabesca has served before as grand chief of the Tlicho, formerly known as the Dogrib Treaty 11 Council. He led years of negotiations toward a landmark self-government and land-claim agreement withthe federal and N.W.T. governments in 2005.

Rabesca chose not to seek re-election after the claim was ratified, but he won back the grand chief position in September 2009.

Rabesca is scheduled to appear in territorial court in Behchoko on Nov. 30.