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FORT MCMURRAY — A civil lawsuit against Fort McKay First Nation Chief Raymond Powder is moving ahead, with the first hearing set for the Court of King’s Bench on Tuesday, Nov. 25 at 2 p.m. The case centres on historic allegations of sexual assaults dating back to the 1970s and 1980s.
Harvard Media News has obtained more than 30 pages of publicly available court material related to the case. This includes depositions from the plaintiffs outlining their claims. In those filings, Mel and Christopher Grandjamb allege Powder sexually assaulted them when they were youths, including incidents involving alcohol and episodes in which they say they were unconscious or unable to resist. The depositions also reference a third alleged victim who was a minor at the time and is a relative of the Grandjambs. Court records say that the relative later died by suicide.
Harvard Media News reached out to the Fort McKay First Nation. The Nation said this is a private legal matter currently before the courts and does not involve the First Nation, and referred inquiries to Powder’s legal counsel. In a written response, Powder’s lawyer said the case is a “purely civil” matter, emphasized that none of the allegations have been proven and that there are “no criminal proceedings.” The lawyer said Powder denies all allegations and “is vigorously defending the action,” adding that Powder was “13 years old or younger” during part of the period referenced in the claim. Because the matter is before the court, Powder will not be commenting further.
None of the allegations have been proven in court.
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The following list of resources is being provided out of respect for readers who may feel triggered by the topics covered in this story. This is not in any way an editorial commentary on the allegations or the lawsuit itself.
Support is available. If reading this story brings up difficult feelings or if you’re concerned for your own safety or someone else’s, the following services can provide immediate, confidential help:
Alberta One-Line for Sexual Violence
Call, text or chat for confidential support.
Phone or text: 1-866-403-8000
Chat: aasas.ca
Alberta Mental Health Help Line
24/7 crisis support and mental health information.
Phone: 1-877-303-2642
Kids Help Phone
Round-the-clock support for youth.
Phone: 1-800-668-6868
Text: CONNECT to 686868
Hope for Wellness Help Line (First Nations, Inuit and Métis)
Culturally grounded support by phone or chat.
Phone: 1-855-242-3310
Chat: hopeforwellness.ca
Canada Suicide Prevention Service
Immediate support by phone or text.
Phone: 1-833-456-4566
Text: 45645
Fort McMurray Sexual Assault & Trauma Centre
Counselling, crisis help and advocacy in the Wood Buffalo region.
Phone: 780-791-6708
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