Unsolicited sexting, unwanted touching and bullying some of the toxic behaviors found in AFN: report
Harassment and unwanted sexting and touching are among the disturbing findings of an inquiry into gender and sexual orientation discrimination within the Assembly of First Nations (AFN).
The review panel presented its findings on Wednesday during the second day of the AFN’s 44th annual general meeting in Halifax and in a 76-page report. report.
“Some of the examples shared by female interviewees shared how their personal boundaries are routinely violated by male employees, some senior citizens, some knowledge keepers, and some chiefs,” Gwendolyn Point, one of the panelists, told the meeting.
The report stems from the approval of Resolution #13/2020, become a role model in ending sexual orientation and gender discrimination within the Assembly of First Nations, at the December 2020 Special Assembly of Chiefs.
The AFN appointed Point, Debbie Hoffman and Amanda Barnaby Lehoux to conduct the assessment, prepare a report and make recommendations based on the findings. They said they learned that “toxic behavior exists at all levels of the AFN, including the secretariat, executive branch, regional offices and the office of the national chief.”
The panel received written submissions, conducted one-on-one interviews and a survey, and reviewed applicable laws and AFN policies.
“The experiences underlying the information provided to us have led to a demoralized work culture where there is fear of retaliation, a feeling of insecurity in your workplace… lack of confidence in leadership, lack of effective training, lack of an independent reporting or grievance process, and we heard about breach of confidentiality when people come forward,” Hoffman said.
The panel heard stories of collateral violence, abuse of power, cyberbullying and sexting, sexual harassment, discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation, misogyny, and the use of all-too-familiar and suggestive language.
Point said the panel also heard about the “invasion of personal space by elders, leaders and other employees,” such as excessive shaking and holding of hands, unwanted hugs and unwanted touching of hair, backs, knees and legs.
No surprise for female leaders
Aly Bear, third vice chief of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, which represents 74 First Nations in Saskatchewan, said she was not surprised by the findings.
“I’m the youngest woman elected to my position and I know things like this are still going on,” Bear said.
“If we don’t talk about it, we will never find a solution to it and it will continue to happen… I see the way men are treated in the legal profession, in the political world and the way our Indigenous women are treated. It’s completely different.’
Anna Betty Achneepineskum, Deputy Grand Chief of Nishnawbe Aski Nation, representing 49 First Nations in Northern Ontario, serves on the AFN Women’s Council. She said she had heard many similar examples of people fearing reprisals for bringing forward allegations of abuse and discrimination.
“Unfortunately, that exists, but as we keep bringing these to the surface and keep talking about the healing process and that, those kinds of fears and those kinds of behaviors will go away as well,” Achneepineskum said.
“I believe there has to be that commitment and I do believe that this particular executive will commit to the recommendations.”
Recommendations
The panel made many recommendations, including updating the wording in documents, providing mandatory annual training, establishing an independent agency for complaints and investigations, and decolonizing the AFN.
Hoffman said documents currently have basic definitions of harassment, discrimination and violence. The panel recommends expanding those definitions to include things like microaggression, cyberbullying, lateral violence, misogyny, and discrimination based on gender expression or sexual orientation.
“For the AFN to become a role model, as the resolution calls for, in bringing about meaningful systemic change, it needs to start asking how our policies and procedures distance us from our traditional understanding and perpetuate colonial ideals?” said Hoffman.
Interim national head Joanna Bernard said the executive committee is committed to implementing the report’s recommendations.
“We are deeply disturbed by what the panel has found,” Bernard told the meeting.
“Our organizations should never condone hate, discrimination or bullying based on gender or sexual orientation. The AFN should be a safe place for everyone… We promise to make sure this happens.”
The annual general meeting of the AFN lasts until July 13.
An independent investigation has found widespread sexual misconduct and abuse of power at the Assembly of First Nations. The AFN is grappling with the findings a day after the organization rejected a bid to reinstate the first female national chief who was recently ousted for workplace misconduct.
