The Inuvialuit Regional Corporation says Chair Erwin Elias is taking leave “while an allegation that predates his election is independently investigated.”
The IRC issued a statement on Friday that provided no detail about the nature of the allegation but said the corporation’s board was “taking the matter seriously while respecting the integrity of the investigation and the privacy of everyone involved.”
Vice-chair Jordan McLeod is now the acting chair.
“IRC expects an update from the investigation in August, and the board is committed to reviewing it promptly and acting quickly to determine next steps,” the IRC’s statement read.
The corporation is the Indigenous government for the six Inuvialuit communities across the north of the NWT. Elias had been elected to the position of chair in January.
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The IRC said it would not comment on the specifics of the allegation. Elias could not be immediately reached by phone.
