Daniel MacIsaac
Northern News Services

INUVIK (July 30/99) - The investigation into sexual abuse at Grollier Hall is far from closed.

The Inuvik detachment of the RCMP announced on July 20 that it is continuing to investigate allegations of sexual assault at the residential school -- despite the conviction of former hall supervisor Paul Leroux last August on 14 counts of sexual-related offences.

"To date several other disclosures have been made in relation to further alleged incidents of sexual abuse which occurred at Grollier Hall in the 1960s and 1970s," the RCMP statement read.

"The incidents are being investigated and, once the investigations are complete, the RCMP will consult with the Department of Justice in Yellowknife, as to the laying of the appropriate charge(s)."

Cpl. Brian Pinder said that because the investigation is ongoing, the detachment could provide no other details at this time.

Leroux was arrested in Vancouver in 1997 along with two other ex-Grollier Hall employees and was brought back to Inuvik to stand trial last year -- a trying, emotional experience for the former students who testified against him.

Many survivors and members of the Grollier Hall healing circle then gathered at the scene of the crime in February this year to watch their former school razed to the ground.

Healing circle member Lawrence Norbert said Tuesday that while the group doesn't actively co-operate with the police in their investigations, it does refer any former students who come forward to them.

"If someone calls and says they're a former student and wants to talk about Grollier Hall, we tell them not to say any more, but to talk to the investigating officer," he said. "It's the only way we can avoid the contamination of evidence."

Norbert said the healing circle held its first annual general meeting in Yellowknife earlier this month and is hoping to set up a more structured crisis management and support group. He said he knows no details of the RCMP's current investigation, but wouldn't be surprised if the charges involve Leroux himself or the other former supervisors already convicted and serving prison sentences.