Group warns of charlatan healer

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A group of Elders, health and justice workers, and victims of abuse gathered at N'Swakamok Native Friendship Centre on April 17 to send a warning about the existence of a man operating in the Sudbury area as a healer, who, they say, has sexually abused his clients.

The open forum allowed community members to share their stories and generate ideas on how to protect the community through a system that would validate the credentials of those who advertise themselves as spiritual advisors.

"Telling my story here helps with my healing," said one woman who told her story of deception and assault at the hands of the so-called medicine man. "It makes me feel a little stronger. It is important to let the Native community be aware these characters out there."

Susan Hare, a M'Chigeeng lawyer and director for the Aboriginal Healing Foundation, said that steps are being taken to establish lists of trusted traditional medicine people in each area.

The safety net, however, is "not foolproof," she cautioned. "Some charlatans could still slip through the system."