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Manitoba RCMP arrested the former CEO of the Manitoba Inuit Association, Nastania Mullin, Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Several women contacted Nunavut RCMP last year alleging they had been sexually assaulted by Mullin in Iqaluit between 2003 and 2023. Mounties began investigating the complaints in October.<\/p>\n
Mullin was named head of the Manitoba Inuit Association in 2022, but was fired by the board in November over the allegations of sex abuse.<\/p>\n
He filed a wrongful dismissal lawsuit in Court of King\u2019s Bench against the association in February, claiming his firing was without a legitimate basis. His court filing made no mention of the abuse allegations.<\/p>\n
The association, in a statement of defence filed in March, argues it had just cause to terminate Mullin.<\/p>\n
That included alleged \u201crepeated violations\u201d of the organization\u2019s employee guidelines, including those dealing with a respectful workplace, lateral violence and conflicts of interest, as well as claims of improper conduct that could harm the association.<\/p>\n
The court filing said \u201cnumerous\u201d employees filed complaints about his conduct during his time with the association.<\/p>\n
MIA planned an external, third-party investigation into the complaints in 2023, but Mullin unilaterally directed the third-party not to investigate, the association claims.<\/p>\n
Later, in 2024, two additional employees complained to the association and to provincial workplace safety and health officials, claiming they had been terminated for raising concerns about Mullin..<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the fall of 2025, a series of social media posts detailed several concerning allegations about the plaintiff\u2019s behaviour including incidents of sexual assault,\u201d reads the association\u2019s court filing, noting those posts were shared widely in the Inuit community and garnered national media attention.<\/p>\n
After the posts appeared, three people made allegations of sexual assault in media reports and said they had filed criminal complaints.<\/p>\n
The association\u2019s board of directors placed Mullin on leave in October and reviewed his conduct. Other Inuit organizations began raising concerns and distancing themselves from the association, while its funders also raised concerns.<\/p>\n
\n\t\tWinnipeg Free Press | Newsletter\n\t<\/p>\n
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A funding partner withdrew its money as a result of the concerns, and community members and organizations demanded he be removed, the defence filing says.<\/p>\n
Further, the court papers claim, Mullin was contacting board members trying to influence them and contacting financial organizations and stakeholders while on leave.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter careful consideration\u2026 the defendants determined that the damage done to the MIA\u2019s ongoing viability, public reputation, relationships with staff and the community at large was too great to continue to employ the plaintiff,\u201d reads the filing.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe actions of the plaintiff and his reaction to the public allegations fundamentally undermined the MIA\u2019s trust in the plaintiff\u2019s judgment necessary for him to maintain his position of trust, confidence and leadership within the organization.\u201d<\/p>\n
erik.pindera@freepress.mb.ca<\/p>\n
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Erik Pindera Erik Pindera is a reporter for the Free Press, mostly focusing on crime and justice. The born-and-bred Winnipegger attended Red River College Polytechnic, wrote for the community newspaper in Kenora, Ont. and reported on television and radio in Winnipeg before joining the Free Press in 2020.\u00a0 Read more about Erik<\/a>.<\/p>\n Every piece of reporting Erik produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print \u2014 part of the Free Press\u2018s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press\u2019s history and mandate<\/a>, and learn how our newsroom operates<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Reporter
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