Yukon gov't knew about sexual assault allegations against employee for years, documents show

WARNING: This story contains details of sexual abuse and discussion around suicide. It may affect those who have experienced sexual violence or know someone affected by it.

The Yukon government says it's investigating sexual assault and misconduct allegations against one of its employees working in Ross River — years after the government first learned of the allegations.

The government told CBC an investigation was set to begin in July. In an emailed statement, it said an investigator would travel to Ross River in hopes of interviewing community members in person. 

"The employee in question has been placed on leave and is not working in any community," read the email.  

The government declined Monday to provide an update on whether or not the investigation has started.

In a year-long dive into the allegations, CBC gathered hundreds of documents obtained through access to information requests from the Yukon government. CBC also interviewed more than 30 people living in Ross River — a community of about 400 people that lies 360 kilometres northeast of Whitehorse

Documents include a letter sent to the Yukon government on April 8, signed by Dorothy Smith, Roberta Dick and Verna Nukon — three of the five people who sit on the Ross River Dena Council — that alleges "rape, sexualized assaults and harm to our women."

CBC has tried to reach out to the employee facing the allegations several times by email, registered mail as well as social media but has not received a response. CBC is not naming the employee because charges have not been laid and it isn't clear if there is a criminal investigation into the allegations.

The details of the allegations remain unclear as CBC has been unable to speak directly with any potential victims.

The letter sent by some members of the Ross River Dena Council refers to the use of a Yukon government truck, and talks about vulnerable women being dropped off on the highway. It calls the lack of attention given to this issue "insulting [and] borderline racist." 

"It has been reported to us by our community that women are being dropped off the highway with the Yukon government truck left to fend for themselves at risk of exposure and further harm. How is this any different from Saskatchewan's 'Starlight tours' where Aboriginal people were dropped off to die?" the letter reads. 

"We are horrified, we say clearly and definitively our women's lives matter, our women's lives deserve to be honoured and protected … Your government chose to protect your employee that has been harming our women."

The letter also demands an investigation into the Yukon government's conduct. 

In an emailed statement sent to the Ross River Dena Council on June 5, Premier Ranj Pillai said he was only made aware of the letter on May 11 ‒ more than a month after it was sent.