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A group of women from Alexander First Nation are demanding Chief Kurt Burnstick resign in the wake of multiple sexual assault allegations, and plan to hold a rally next week after the cancellation of a “total media blackout” imposed by the chief and council in April.

The group, Alexander Women Warriors, object to Burnstick representing them and speaking on issues such as missing and murdered indigenous women.

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“He needs to step down and deal with what he’s dealing with, and send a message to other nations and other women that they do have a voice,” group spokeswoman Janet Campbell said.

Burnstick is facing three sexual assault charges, and one charge of break-and-enter with an intent to commit an indictable offence, in connection to incidents involving two separate complainants.

Photo by John Lucas / Edmonton Journal

The more recently laid charges are based on allegations that date back to the summer of 1985. Two counts of sexual assault relate to a single complainant. Those charges, along with the charge of break-and-enter to commit an indictable offence, are alleged to have occurred on Alexander First Nation between July 1 and Aug. 30, 1985.

Burnstick was already facing a charge of sexual assault in relation to an alleged incident that took place on Oct. 28, 2015, also on Alexander First Nation. A different complainant is connected to that allegation.