Support for the recovery of National Head RoseAnne Archibald is buzzing as the Assembly of First Nations meets in Halifax

As the annual general meeting of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) got underway on Tuesday, calls to reinstate former national chief RoseAnne Archibald were shot down by chiefs and proxies.

First Nations leaders are gathering in person in Halifax and online for the national advocacy organization’s 44th annual general meeting. Only 186 leaders and proxies registered for the meeting, including 12 delegates who participated online, from the more than 600 First Nations the AFN represents.

Three requests were made on the meeting floor Tuesday morning for a resolution to reinstate Archibald, during a debate to approve the meeting’s agenda. All three requests were rejected by the agenda mover.

Archibald, who attended the meeting virtually as a proxy for Hornepayne First Nation Chief Ron Kocsis, criticized the process.

“This is an affront to democracy, what is happening at the AFN, the way they are running this gathering and trying to close ranks against the leaders and trying to usurp the authority of the leaders by hand-selecting certain leaders to move and second items and do not allow amendments to the agenda,” she told the meeting via Zoom.

Archibald was ousted as national head last month at a meeting convened to discuss the findings of an investigation into five workplace misconduct complaints against her. She has repeatedly made allegations of financial mismanagement and corruption within the organization and has called for a forensic audit.

Archibald was removed from the meeting later in the afternoon at the discretion of co-chairs Adam Fiddler and Wina Sioui, after a point of order was raised on the meeting floor regarding the rules of procedure for orderly conduct.

“We really, really, really want to get business done and we really, really want to make sure the decorum is respected,” Sioui said.

New interim national chief sworn in

Joanna Bernard, regional chief for New Brunswick, was sworn into her new role as interim national chief Tuesday morning.

“Our financial statements have been independently audited every year for the past ten years, and in each of those years, auditors have verified the statements as accurate,” Bernard told the meeting.

“While no evidence has been found to substantiate these claims, it is essential to address concerns and uphold transparency and accountability.”

Bernard said that as interim chief, one of her focuses will be on “restoring confidence” in the AFN, including “restoring staff morale, confidence and confidence” and improving whistleblowing policies, the code of conduct, harassment and reporting processes of the organization.

Bernard said if the main charter renewal committee believes a forensic audit is necessary, they will follow those guidelines.

“While these circumstances have created a period of transition and reflection for the organization, it is essential to remember that the strength of the AFN and the AFN Executive Committee lies in the leadership, unity and resilience of all our nations,” said she.

Tackle the audit

An emergency resolution to address the audit is being introduced by the chairman of the charter renewal chiefs committee, Khelsilem, who is president of the Squamish Nation in B.C.

“There have been many challenges within the Assembly of First Nations, many conflicts, many dysfunctions that have plagued many assembly meetings,” Khelsilem told CBC News.

He said the committee is making 15 recommendations to the assembly and, while not responding to recent issues, would prevent them from happening in the future.

The emergency solution still has to be dealt with on the meeting floor.

“It was requested by the leaders and must be carried out regardless of whether there is actual or suspected misconduct,” he said.

“I think the opportunity is to restore trust in the organization by conducting an investigation and identifying where there are gaps in our current system.”

The annual general meeting lasts until July 13.