The denial and covering-up of another major form of child abuse, sexual exploitation, lasted until the autumn of 1990. Then, in the wake of revelations of sexual abuse of non-Native orphans by Christian Brothers at Mount Cashel Orphanage in Newfoundland, attention began to focus on residential schools. When Phil Fontaine, chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, spoke out about his own mistreatment by Oblate clergy at Fort Alexander school in Manitoba, light was thrown on a dark corner of the history of these schools. Chief Fontaine informed Roman Catholic church representatives and the press of various forms of abuse and mistreatment to which he and others were subjected over a period of many years. 'I think what happened to me is what happened to a lot of people. It wasn't just sexual abuse, it was physical and psychological abuse. It was a violation.' Fontaine called upon church authorities to broaden their investigation into allegations of sexual improprieties among Manitoba priests to include charges of abuse at residential schools. His revelations provoked many other former students to speak out about their own experiences, and a number of Native organisations called for a government inquiry into the problem. In keeping with a long tradition, the minister of Indian Affairs declined to authorise an investigation, although he did promise that his department would undertake other, unspecified measures to help victims of abuse. 'I don't think a full public inquiry is necessary,' Mr. Siddon said. 'People who have had these unfortunate experiences - for which I have great sympathy - [need] an opportunity to discuss them with appropriate authorities including people in my department.' The picture that was revealed by the public disclosures of Chief Fontaine and others proved to be an ugly one.