ATLANTIC

Digby County man charged with assaulting First Nation Chief

Allan April CTVNewsAtlantic.ca writer

Published Saturday, October 17, 2020 2:44PM ADT Last Updated Saturday, October 17, 2020 2:53PM ADT

Sack says he and others he's talked to are worried that Allister Surette, a university president and former politician from the area, lacks experience with Indigenous issues and may not have the capacity to be a neutral, third-party troubleshooter.

Text:

HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia RCMP have charged a 46-year-old Digby County man with assault in relation to an assault of Chief Mike Sack of the Sipekne’katik First Nation on Wednesday in New Edinburgh, N.S.

Police say 46-year-old Chris Gerald Melanson of Digby County was arrested Friday evening, and charged with assault.

Melanson has been released from custody on conditions, and is scheduled to appear in Digby Provincial Court December 21 at 9:30 a.m.

RCMP say the investigation is ongoing, and they will continue to take steps to “ensure that those who unlawfully interfere with or threaten the safety of any person or property may be held accountable in accordance with the laws of Canada.”