Chief Donald Smoke of Dakota Plains First Nation, has been cleared of all allegations and charges following a detailed review by the Crown Prosecution Service in Saskatchewan, bringing an end to a case that had deeply affected both his personal life and the community he serves. The Crown, after examining the evidence, determined that the case should not proceed. In a statement released today, Chief Smoke expressed gratitude for what he called a 'considerate and detailed review' by prosecutors, crediting their diligence for preventing a drawn-out legal process. "This was a meritless, malicious, and false allegation," Chief Smoke's Lawyer Brain Pfefferle said, "The review by the Crown prevented a prolonged process that would have led to the same outcome, the truth." Chief Smoke acknowledged the seriousness of the accusations, noting that they involved alleged offenses that "all too commonly impact" his community. "That made these allegations particularly troubling," Pfefferle said, adding that the situation has caused real harm in the community Chief Smoke has been chosen to lead. The impact of the pending legal matter has reportedly weighed heavily on the community, with tensions rising over the recent months. However, now that the case has been dismissed, Chief Smoke said he is eager to return his full attention to the needs of his people. "I'm grateful that my community and I can now put this behind us," he said. "I'm looking forward to focusing exclusively on the important work that lies ahead." No further legal action is expected, and the Crown has not announced any additional investigations related to the matter. Sign up to get the latest local news headlines delivered directly to your inbox every afternoon. Send your news tips, story ideas, pictures, and videos to news@portageonline.com. PortageOnline encourages you to get your news directly from your trusted source by bookmarking this page and downloading the PortageOnline app.