‘Burying the hatchet’: First Nations chiefs reject suspension of AFN national chief | Globalnews.ca

A majority of First Nations chiefs in Canada voted against suspending First Nations National Chief RoseAnne Archibald from the Assembly.

The resolution of AFN’s annual general meeting on Tuesday proposed that his paid suspension continue, pending the results of a human resources investigation into staff complaints against him.

More than 60 percent of bosses and managers rejected it. Some speakers cited the lack of evidence against Archibald, support for his calls for a forensic audit, and a desire for unity so First Nations can prioritize other, more pressing issues affecting their communities.

“I want to thank everyone for all of their feedback and for overturning this illegal suspension that happened,” Archibald said, responding to the results.

“I welcome comments about burying the axe, I welcome comments about forgiveness.”

The national chief said she is “100 percent” committed to meeting with the AFN executive committee to resolve their differences, but first she will need her phone back and access to her email restored.

Earlier this month, the AFN executive committee and national board of directors suspended Archibald when it began an investigation into allegations of workplace harassment against him by four staff members.

It was a day after Archibald publicly called for a forensic audit and independent investigation into alleged assembly corruption, claiming the four staff members had requested more than $1 million in payments, which she refused to provide.

According to a July 4 briefing note provided to the AFN executive committee, Archibald learned of the allegations against him before he made public what the note describes as “confidential” information and “baseless” accusations.

Archibald’s lawyers and the executive’s lawyers disagree on whether her suspension is legal and within the power of the executive, given that she is chosen by hundreds of bosses across Canada.

Managers and proxies were given an extended lunch hour and an additional break on Tuesday to consider three resolutions: Archibald’s continued suspension pending a human resources investigation; his dismissal by a vote of no confidence; and her full reinstatement to her role as national chief with the initiation of a forensic audit and independent workplace toxicity investigation.

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They will vote on the last two resolutions on Wednesday morning.

Earlier in the day, AFN Nova Scotia and Newfoundland Area Regional Chief Paul Prosper endorsed Archibald’s continued suspension and denounced his public comments before and after his suspension.

However, he expressed “tremendous love and respect” for Archibald, saying the executive committee would support a forensic audit if bosses welcome it.

“No organization is perfect, none,” he said. “We all face our own unique challenges, and yes, as an organization we can and must improve.

“But I ask you, what would you do in this situation? What would you do if you were sitting, like many of you as a board member, facing these challenges within your family?

Speaking after Prosper, New Brunswick AFN regional chief Joanna Bernard also raised concerns about Archibald’s public disclosures, including a list of contractors the AFN has worked with and the value of their contracts.

“These people’s businesses are in danger here, they are being accused of corruption,” he said.

“We have taken this seriously as an organization…if the AFN is going to continue as a useful organization, the national chief has been making this impossible.”

Bernard said Archibald’s actions are also hampering the workplace fair investigation process triggered as a result of the allegations against him.

Archibald has asked the heads of the general assembly to support her in creating a revitalized AFN and a new accompanying financial corporation based not on colonial law, but on the Seven Sacred Teachings of First Nations Peoples.

In formal comments before the suspension vote, she said the AFN executive committee had “usurped” her authority as constituents by suspending her and attempting to influence her decision-making on the matter. Corruption within the AFN is “one of the best-known secrets in the Indian country,” she argued, calling on bosses to support her “positive vision of the future.”

His comments were met with applause and whistles from the crowd.