VANCOUVER –
An emergency resolution before the annual meeting of the Assembly of First Nations to reaffirm the suspension of National Chief RoseAnne Archibald failed in Vancouver.
Archibald took the stage after Tuesday’s vote and expressed gratitude for the decision to end what he called an unfair suspension.
“I am 100 percent committed to meeting with the regional chiefs. I need my phone back. I need my emails back. I need to be fully reinstated,” she said.
The resolution said Archibald disclosed confidential information about the complaints against him by the organization’s staff, compromising the integrity of the assembly’s complaint process.
The vote needed the support of 60 percent of eligible delegates to pass, but the resolution was defeated and the count would come later.
Tk’emlups te Secwepemc chief Rosanne Casimir introduced the motion saying there are rules for leaders and the situation has become a national embarrassment.
Thousands of delegates gathered for the annual meeting of the Assembly of First Nations in Vancouver to discuss the pope’s visit, indigenous rights, housing and other priorities, but those topics were overshadowed by claims of corruption. and Archibald’s internal struggles over his leadership.
Dressed in indigenous clothing, Archibald entered at the beginning of the meeting in front of a group of singing supporters.
Just the day before, Archibald said she had been “erased” from the agenda after the executive committee suspended her on June 17 pending an investigation into four complaints against her by her staff.
Instead, Archibald led the opening ceremonies, welcoming attendees and speaking to delegates.
“I am your representative. I am your servant. I only exist because all of you put me in this position, so an attack on me is an attack on you,” he said before delegates voted. “It is his authority to determine what happens to the national chief. You elected me, not the regional bosses. You determine what discipline I face.”
Archibald alleges that she was suspended for trying to investigate corruption within the assembly and requested a forensic audit of the organization for the past eight years.
She said it comes after “decades” of calls for reform within the organization.
“When you support me, you will be fighting corruption,” Archibald said.
The Assembly of First Nations executive issued a statement Tuesday urging delegates not to let human resources complaints involving Archibald “overshadow the real and ongoing work that is required on behalf of First Nations people.” .
“The committee further calls on the national chief to immediately cease any actions and statements that seriously violate the confidentiality and privacy interests of AFN employees, service providers and others, including general allegations of misconduct,” the statement says.
The executive believes the actions are harmful, illegal and inappropriate, the statement said.
Archibald has said her suspension was a violation of the assembly’s bylaws and a means to intimidate, punish and silence her for her claims about the assembly’s possible misuse of public funds.
“Obviously, I’m asking our friends for an independent audit and investigation into the AFN and I’m asking the bosses and grassroots people to talk to their bosses to ensure there’s a forensic audit and independent investigation into corruption.” and toxicity in AFN,” he said before entering the assembly on Tuesday.
Before the vote, Paul Prosper, AFN regional chief for Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, asked the chiefs and their proxies present to validate the executive’s decision to allow Archibald’s temporary suspension to continue until the investigation is complete.
“There have been calls for a forensic audit and my colleagues are not opposed to a forensic audit. We welcome it if you agree to it,” he said. “No organization is perfect. We all face our own unique challenges and yes, as an organization we can improve that we need to improve.”
Archibald said in his speech that he wants audits in two areas: payments and staff contracts.
“Millions of dollars in personnel payments have been paid out,” he said. “That’s what the forensic audit will show you. You will see how money that is meant for you and your communities has been going into someone else’s pocket.”
Two other emergency resolutions will be brought to the full assembly for a vote on Wednesday.
The first, submitted by Chief Wendy Jocko of the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation, calls for the AFN’s independent third-party forensic financial audit.
The other resolution, introduced by Kinonjeoshtegon First Nation chief Rod Travers, calls for Archibald to be removed from office, claiming he breached confidentiality by speaking to the media, leading delegates to lose confidence in his leadership.
He calls for the executive committee to appoint an interim leader, with an election for a new national chief to be called within six months.
Removed from the list of resolutions was a draft resolution before the assembly calling for Archibald to be removed from office and new elections held because she did not receive the required 60 percent of the votes cast when she was elected last year.
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on July 5, 2022.