Yellowknife (May 14/04) - Eddie Kolausok, Inuvialuit author and land claims negotiator, has been convicted of sexual assault on a teenaged girl.

The decision came Wednesday after a jury deliberated for nearly seven hours. The verdict brought a sigh of relief, then sobs as the victim and her friends embraced.

Kolausok held his head in his hands for a moment, before looking back at a small group of people, which included his son.

The incident took place at Kolausok's Yellowknife house in the early morning hours of April 12, 2003.

The testimony in the trial lasted nearly two days. Kolausok will be held in Yellowknife Correctional centre until his sentencing hearing, June 10.