A majority of First Nations leaders in Canada have voted against the suspension of the National Head of the Assembly of First Nations, RoseAnne Archibald.
The resolution of the annual general assembly of the AFN on Tuesday proposed that it continue its suspension with pay, pending the results of a human resources investigation into staff complaints against it.
More than 60 percent of bosses and proxies rejected it.
Some speakers cited the lack of evidence against Archibald, support for his calls for a forensic audit, and the desire for unity so that First Nations can prioritize other more pressing issues affecting their communities.
“I want to thank everyone for all your comments and for removing this illegal suspension that happened,” Archibald said, responding to the results.
“So welcome to the comments on burying the ax, I appreciate the comments on forgiveness.”
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The national chief said she is “100 per cent” committed to meeting with AFN’s executive committee to resolve their differences, but will first need her phone and email access to be restored.
0:41 The First Nations Assembly rejects the resolution calling for the suspension of Chief Archibald The Assembly of First Nations rejects the resolution calling for the suspension of Chief Archibald
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Earlier this month, the AFN executive committee and the national board of directors suspended Archibald when an investigation into workplace harassment complaints against her by four members began.
It was a day after Archibald publicly called for a forensic audit and an independent investigation into the alleged corruption of the assembly, alleging that the four staff members had demanded more than $ 1 million in payments, which she left. refuse to provide.
According to a July 4 briefing note delivered to the AFN executive committee, Archibald was informed of the complaints against her before making public what the note describes as “confidential” information and “unfounded” allegations.
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Archibald’s attorneys and executive attorneys disagree on whether his suspension is legal and within the executive’s power, as it is chosen by hundreds of leaders across Canada.
2:21 AFN members end national leader’s temporary suspension AFN members end national leader’s temporary suspension
Chiefs and proxies on Tuesday received an extended lunch hour and an additional recess to consider three resolutions: Archibald’s continued suspension while conducting a human resources investigation; his dismissal by a vote of censure; and his full reinstatement in office as national head with the initiation of a forensic audit and an independent workplace toxicity investigation.
These last two resolutions will be voted on Wednesday morning.
Read more: AFN General Assembly Begins Amid Controversy Over National President’s Suspension
Earlier in the day, AFN regional head Nova Scotia and Newfoundland Paul Prosper approved Archibald’s continued suspension, denouncing his public comments both before and after his suspension.
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However, he expressed “tremendous love and respect” for Archibald and said the executive committee would support a forensic audit if the bosses welcomed him.
“No organization is perfect, not one,” he said. “We all face our unique challenges, and yes, as an organization we can improve and we must improve.
“But I ask you, what would you do in the face of this situation? What would you do if you sat down, like many of you as a board member, in the face of these challenges within your family?
1:58 The annual general meeting of the Assembly of First Nations begins amid the agitation The annual general meeting of the Assembly of First Nations begins amid the unrest
Speaking after Prosper, New Brunswick AFN regional chief Joanna Bernard also expressed concern over Archibald’s public revelations, including a list of contractors the AFN has worked with and the value of the their contracts.
“These people’s businesses are in jeopardy here, they are being accused of corruption,” he said.
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“We have taken this seriously as an organization … if the AFN is to continue as a useful organization, the national leader has made it impossible.”
Bernard said Archibald’s actions are also hampering the process of fair investigation of the job triggered as a result of the complaints against her.
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Read more: The head of the First Nations Assembly says the suspension is “illegal” and calls for court order
Archibald has called on 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 the First Nations.
In formal statements before the suspension vote, he said the AFN executive committee had “usurped” the authority of leaders across the country to suspend it and try to influence its decision-making on the subject. Corruption in the AFN is “one of the best-known secrets of the Indian country,” he alleged, and asked the leaders to accompany him on his “positive vision of the future.”
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His comments were greeted by applause and whistles from the crowd.
6:46 Archibald calls for forensic audit, urges AFN to move forward from suspension Archibald calls for forensic audit and urges AFN to move forward for suspension
Speaking against the suspension, Yaqan Nukiy delegate Cheryl Casimir of the Ktunaxa nation in BC said the ruling implied that Archibald was guilty and had to be shown to be innocent, rather than the other way around.
“I think there have been mistakes on both sides in this situation,” he told delegates. “There must be ownership and recognition of these mistakes and we must apologize for these mistakes to cure them.”
Doug Kelly, proxy for the Kwaw-kwaw-Apilt First Nation in BC, asked leaders across the country to look inward as they cast their votes.
“We spend a lot of time talking about truth and reconciliation, but we are always pointing the finger at the federal government or the churches and the provincial government,” he said. “We are at a time when we need to look at some hard truths and reconcile ourselves.”
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Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc Kúkpi Rosanne Casimir said she endorsed the continued suspension with a “big, heavy heart,” but confidential human resource research that protects employees is critical and all leaders must follow a set of specific rules .
“For me, this is embarrassing across the country and seeing this in the news,” he said. “When I look at the importance of truth and reconciliation, that has no room for that in the media.”
Pheasant Rump Nakota First Nation Chief Ira McArthur in Saskatchewan seconded the motion after Casimir, saying the assembly should not air its “dirty laundry” in the media.
“I know that for the best practices of all our First Nations we always have a separation of administration policy and we have staff who manage these issues,” he explained. “We have a lot of business pending with the government and we need to be able to focus on these issues.”
The AFN is still verifying the final count of votes for and against Archibald’s suspension.
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