Another woman accuses former head of Manitoba Inuit Association of sexual assault
WARNING: This article may affect those who have experienced sexual violence or know someone affected by it.When Alexia Cousins lit the traditional Inuit oil lamp at a Dec. 6 ceremony marking the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, it gave her courage to come forward with her own accusations of sexual assault, she says."It felt like that was the right thing for me to do, to be able to show others there that we can carry on, that there is life," Cousins said in a recent interview from Iqaluit. "The more we speak out, the less it could happen."Cousins says she has filed a sexual assault complaint with Iqaluit RCMP against Nastania Mullin, the former CEO of the Manitoba Inuit Association. CBC has also seen the contents of a complaint submitted to the Nunavut Law Society. Cousins was 15 and believes Mullin was one to two years older when they started spending more time together as part of a peer sexual health education group in high school. They had a casual, on-and-off relationship, and when she was 16, she became pregnant with Mullin's child. Cousins during ceremony marking the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women on Dec. 6, 2025. While she describes her past relationship with Mullin as mostly consensual, she says there were times when she felt manipulated or guilted into things she didn’t want to do. (David Gunn/CBC)"I gave birth three weeks after my 17th birthday, in end of September 2005," Cousins said, adding the couple was not dating at the time.While she describes their relationship as mostly consensual, she says there were times when she felt manipulated or guilted into things she didn’t want to do. "There was two instances, I realize now, of sexual abuse where I was coerced, or where I feel like I couldn't say no," she said.As a single mother, Cousins said she finished high school and worked hard to raise their now 20-year-old daughter, Cassiar, who has given permission to be identified.Cousins says she and Mullin unofficially shared custody of their daughter for a few years, starting when Cassiar was eight. But she says Mullin's role in the young woman’s life has been "minimal," and there’s been little interaction between Cassiar and Mullin since Cassiar cut off ties with him seven years ago. Cassiar Cousins, left, with her father, Nastania Mullin. (Submitted by Cassiar Cousins)"I had tried throughout my daughter's life to seek representation for child support, but as he was in law school or a lawyer, I was always met with conflict. And actually, when I could find someone to represent me, their rate was unattainable for me as a single mother," she said.According to the Nunavut Law Society website, Mullin’s membership has been suspended because he hasn’t renewed it.In an email Jan. 20, the law society also confirmed it has received a complaint, which it said is "currently under review."Mullin was appointed CEO of the Manitoba Inuit Association in September 2022. He served until the board terminated his role in November 2025 following sexual abuse allegations.Despite repeated attempts, CBC News has been unable to reach Mullin for a comment.#InuitMeToo campaignHe is the subject of other complaints stemming from a grassroots #InuitMeToo campaign on social media. CBC News has spoken with two other women who have filed complaints involving Mullin with the RCMP and Ottawa Police Service.Nunavut RCMP media spokesperson Sgt. George Henrie would not provide an update, writing in a Jan. 8 email, "As the matter is still under investigation, I do not have any information to share at this time. If and when information becomes available, the Nunavut RCMP will publish a news release."None of the allegations against Mullin have been proven in court, and he has not been charged.Mullin was appointed CEO of the Manitoba Inuit Association in September 2022. The organization's board terminated his role in November 2025 following sexual abuse allegations. (Manitoba Inuit Association/Instagram)He was replaced as CEO of the Manitoba Inuit Association, a non-profit that represents Inuit in the province, with an interim CEO on Oct. 24, 2025.On Nov. 7, the association said in a social media post that it had "made the decision to terminate" Mullin.In January, the association appointed a new chief executive officer, Gayle Gruben. The MIA said Gruben will review a CBC News interview request after Feb. 2.Tara Qunngaataq Tootoo Fotheringham, president of the non-profit Amautiit Nunavut Inuit Women's Association, says she continues to receive messages from people sharing stories of alleged abuse and harassment involving not just Mullin, but also other male Inuit leaders.The grassroots advocacy group has been fundraising on the website GoFundMe to provide culturally appropriate counselling and referrals for legal and victim services support. Tara Qunngaataq Tootoo Fotheringham, president of the Amautiit Nunavut Inuit Women's Association, is providing support to Inuit women coming forward with allegations of abuse. (Jaison Empson/CBC)“We had a period of awareness and shock, and now this is a part of a journey," Fotheringham said in a recent interview."More women are speaking, not only with each other, but they're now speaking on larger platforms, without that fear that people aren't going to believe them," she said."So I hope that we continue to keep encouraging the conversation.”Amautiit’s focus is on holding organizations and leaders accountable for survivor safety and promoting systemic change through education, Fotheringham added.'Don't want people to stand alone'Tanya Tagaq, an Inuk singer and activist, has been amplifying much of the #InuitMeToo conversations on her Facebook and Instagram accounts. Inuit women "experience an unacceptable and disproportionate amount of abuse," but are often silenced due to isolation and a "defunct judicial system," allowing abuse to continue.Inuk singer and activist Tanya Tagaq, shown in a file photo, has been amplifying the #InuitMeToo conversations on her Facebook and Instagram accounts. (John Gaudi/CBC)But the #InuitMeToo campaign "gives hope that we can be heard," she said in a text conversation with CBC News, applauding the bravery of women who are speaking out."To elicit change, we must stand together," she wrote.Cousins says she has followed the #InuitMeToo movement, and when other women came forward with their stories, she thought it might be time to speak out publicly too."It’s really startling to see how many have been affected, but it's also really empowering for people to be able to tell their stories again, and to be heard and to be believed, and not be sent a cease and desist letter or not be told to shut up or that they're a liar."Demanding accountability "is not lateral violence, it's not hate against other Inuit," said Cousins."We don't want people to stand alone in this."If you fear for your safety or that of others around you, please call 911. For support in your area, you can look for crisis lines and local services via the Ending Sexual Violence Association of Canada database.
