B.C. First Nations chief charged with sexual offence involving minor

An elected First Nations chief in B.C. has been charged with sexual interference after an alleged incident in May.

Xeni Gwet'in First Nation Chief Roger William, 51, was due in Williams Lake court on Wednesday.

The First Nation is a member of theTsilhqot'in Tribal Council located in the southwest Chilcotin in B.C.'s Central Interior. On Thursday, a statement from the council said William hasbeen placed on a leave of absence.

He faces one chargeof sexual interference of a person under the age of 16.

William was elected chief of the XeniGwet'inFirst Nation more than 20 years ago. He was alsoa council member for five years.

"Without comment on the specific matter before the courts, the TNG affirms that the safety and well-being of children and families is of paramount importance to the TNG and to the Tsilhqot'in Nation," said a statement issued Thursday.

Supreme Court case

William began a casefocused onthe Tsilhqot'in First Nation's claim to aboriginal title over 440,000 hectares of land around Williams Lake in 1989.

The case was settled 25 years later, when the Supreme Court of Canada granted declaration of more than 1,700 square kilometres to the First Nation.

The ruling markedthe first time in Canadian history aboriginal title was confirmed outside of a First Nations reserve.

Special prosecutor Brock Martland approved the sexual interference chargethis week. A statement said assistant deputy attorney general Peter Juk appointed the lawyer to the case on Monday because he believedit was "in the public interest" to do so.

William's next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 20.