By Patrick Book

Indigenous Games place CEO on paid leave after harassment accusation

Feb 13, 2014 | 6:36 AM

A Saskatchewan First Nations leader heading up the North American Indigenous Games, taking place in Regina this summer, has been placed on paid leave after being accused of harassment.

The news emerged Wednesday morning during a Federation Of Saskatchewan Indian Nations meeting in Saskatoon. The NAIG head office issued a news release confirming that George Gordon First Nation Chief Glen Pratt, the chief executive officer of the 2014 edition of the games, is the subject of a harassment claim that was made late last week.

In a short statement made to reporters, FSIN vice-chief Dutch Lerat confirmed that an outside body will investigate the claims.

“The situation will be thoroughly investigated,” he stressed, noting that an independent human resources firm from Regina will look into the matter.

Lerat declined to go further into detail about the nature of the accusations that have been made.

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“These are allegations and all parties involved will be treated fairly through this process. The NAIG board respects the confidentiality of this process. That is required to properly investigate this manner and I cannot release details, nature of the allegations, or names of other individuals involved.”

Lerat expected the investigation will take four to six weeks. Preperations for the games are continuing, he said, adamant that the event will go off without a hitch.

The Indigenous Games draw First Nations athletes from throughout Canada and the United States, drawing about 10,000 athletes in recent years. The games will take place in Regina from July 20 to 27.

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