A majority of First Nations chiefs in Canada have voted against the suspension of Assembly of First Nations National Chief RoseAnne Archibald.
The resolution at the AFN’s annual general assembly on Tuesday proposed her suspension with pay continue, pending the results of a human resources investigation into staff complaints against her.
More than 60 per cent of chiefs and proxies rejected it. Some speakers cited a lack of evidence against Archibald, support for her calls for a forensic audit, and a desire for unity so First Nations can prioritize other, more urgent matters affecting their communities. “I want to thank everyone for all your comments and for striking down this unlawful suspension that happened,” said Archibald, responding to the results. “I welcome the comments about burying the hatchet, I welcome the comments about forgiveness.” The national chief said she is “100 per cent” committed to meeting with AFN’s executive committee to work through their differences, but will need her phone back and her email access reinstated first. Read more: ‘The truth will be told’: AFN national chief leads procession into annual general assembly Earlier this month, the AFN executive committee and national board of directors suspended Archibald as an investigation into workplace harassment complaints against her by four staff got underway.
It was one day after Archibald had publicly called for a forensic audit and independent inquiry into the assembly’s alleged corruption, claiming the four staff had requested more than $1 million in payouts, which she refused to provide.