Dressed in native regalia, National Chief RoseAnne Archibald entered the annual gathering of First Nations in Vancouver before a group of cheering supporters Tuesday. Just a day before, Archibald said she had been “off” the agenda following her suspension in June. Instead, she led the opening ceremonies and welcomed attendees to her opening address. “There will be a lot that will be discussed later and I won’t touch on any of that now,” she said, referring to her suspension. The annual meeting comes as members of the Assembly of First Nations urged the 2,400 delegates in a statement not to allow the human resources complaints surrounding Archibald to “overshadow the real and ongoing work required on behalf of First Nations people.” “The committee further calls on the national leader to immediately cease any actions and statements that amount to serious violations of the privacy and privacy interests of AFN employees, service providers and others, including the widespread allegation of misconduct,” the committee said. statement. The executive branch believes the actions are harmful, illegal and inappropriate, the statement said. Musqueam Chief Wayne Sparrow, on whose territory the meeting is being held, asked in his opening remarks that everyone present be respectful. “When I came in, I put some of the elders. There were some signs that were not appropriate in our territory. Whatever your opinion, seeing such words is very hurtful to our elders and to our leadership,” he said. Archibald repeated his request, saying she “rejected” any signs of disrespect and called the swearing “a form of verbal abuse”. “These are not the people who support me. The people who support me want change. The people who support me want to see us moving forward together in a good way. The people who support me love and care about our people,” he said. the number of representatives. Archibald claimed she was attacked for trying to investigate corruption within the assembly and called for a forensic audit of the organization over the past eight years. The assembly’s executive committee said on June 17 that she was suspended with pay pending an investigation into four complaints against her by her staff. Archibald said her suspension is a violation of the assembly’s constitution and a means of intimidating, punishing and silencing her for her allegations of possible misuse of public funds by the assembly. “Obviously, I am calling on our friends for an audit and an independent investigation into AFN and I am asking the leaders and grassroots people to talk to their leaders to ensure that there is a forensic audit as well as an independent investigation into the corruption and toxicity in AFN “, he said before entering the assembly on Tuesday. She said her entire career has been about transparency, accountability and truth. “You look at every organization I’ve ever touched, and I’ve always left those organizations better. AFN needs to be cleaned up, it needs to be healed, and it’s part of my life’s work for transparency, accountability, and responsibility. True.” She said she would say more in her speech at the conference. A draft resolution before the assembly calls for Archibald to be removed from office and a new election held because she did not receive the required 60 percent of the vote when she was elected last year. Chief Wendy Jocko of the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation says on social media that she is also bringing an emergency resolution to the floor calling for an immediate end to Archibald’s “unfounded and illegal suspension.” The theme of the assembly meeting is “walking the path of healing” and comes a day after the AFN announced a $20 billion settlement to compensate First Nations children and their families for the harm caused by chronic underfunding of child care. welfare in reserves. AFN regional chief Cindy Woodhouse, the chief childcare deal negotiator for the convention, said the leadership issue did not affect her work. “First Nations go through tumultuous times at times, but I know we’ve been through so much historically and I think this work is so important that it will continue to move forward.” With files from Sarah Ritchie. This report by The Canadian Press was first published on July 5, 2022.
