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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Much of the NWT is still coming to grips with the sexual assault charge cabinet minister Norman Yakeleya is now facing.

Nowhere is that more true than in his home community of Tulita.

Sahtu MLA Norman Yakeleya's next court appearance is slated for Aug. 28 in Tulita. - NNSL file photo

Tulita resident Wilfred Lennie said some people in the hamlet are concerned about the charges, but most of the people in the community - and around the Sahtu region he represents in the legislative assembly - are still behind Yakeleya.

"It's just a sad thing to hear. I think a lot of people are in support of him," said Lennie. "I spoke to some people from Deline on the phone and they're supporting Yakeleya. We're all behind him."

Last Thursday in Yellowknife, Premier Floyd Roland was hit with a barrage of questions as to what he knew and when, regarding Yakeleya being under investigation for sexual assault.

Roland confirmed he heard about the investigation from another MLA. The complaint, involving a 14-year-old girl, was filed in March 2007.

He refused to give specifics as to when he found out except to say it was in 2007, but after the election in October.

When asked if he appointed Yakeleya to the youth portfolio after hearing about the allegations, Roland said the Sahtu MLA, "...received the youth portfolio at the end of June..." of this year.

Yakeleya was arrested in Tulita on Tuesday and charged with sexual assault. He was released later that day on conditions by a justice of the peace around 5 p.m., according to Crown attorney Shelley Tkatch. Yakeleya's next scheduled court appearance is Aug. 28, in Tulita.

The RCMP did not issue a press release when the charge was laid.

Yakeleya previously denied to Northern News Services that he was being investigated by police for a sexually-related offence and said it was "all rumours."

The premier said recent rumours of the investigation among the MLAs caused "questioning up and down the halls."

Roland said when he did raise the issue with Yakeleya, the MLA assured him it was not an issue.

"He dealt with his family and the other family and that's it," Roland said he was told.

The premier said that despite what Yakeleya claimed, he decided to follow up the issue with his senior staff, then took the step of removing Yakeleya's portfolios.

"The RCMP didn't call us to notify us there was anything going on," added Roland.

Terry Villeneuve, president of the Native Women's Association of the NWT, called the charge "a very serious offence."

"These types of crimes are always harder on the victim than on the offender," said Villeneuve.

"I hope (the victim) gets a lot of support."