RoseAnne Archibald is calling for an independent inquiry into possible government interference in the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), a week after being ousted as national chief.
“The APN has become a tool for the government,” said Mr.me Archibald during a video broadcast live on Facebook Thursday evening.
Mme Archibald was removed from her position last week at a special chiefs assembly that also dealt with a human resources investigation related to complaints made against her by AFN staff members.
The resolution was adopted last Wednesday with the support of approximately 70% of the participants in the virtual meeting.
The human resources report, written by Emond Harnden LLP, examined five complaints made against Mrme Archibald and concluded that his behavior amounted to harassment in more than one instance. He found that M.me Archibald breached confidentiality and violated AFN policy, including retaliating against complainants.
Mme Archibald has always denied all the allegations made against her. She maintained that the chiefs had not received the full report.
The former national chief said the investigation was meant to cover up what was really going on at the national advocacy organization that represents more than 600 First Nations.
Mme Archibald alluded to interference during Thursday’s video, including allegations that there are links between assembly staff, chiefs, ex-national chiefs and the federal Liberal government.
“We need an investigation into potential government interference with the AFN,” she said.
She called on her supporters to write to Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre and New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh demanding an investigation into the interference.
Mme Archibald became the first woman to serve as national leader in 2021. But her removal follows more than a year of turmoil over her leadership. She was suspended as national chief in June 2022, but was reinstated at a general assembly the following month.
Mme Archibald said she was targeted for fighting corruption within the NPC. She asked why the federal government had not helped fund a forensic audit of the assembly. The chiefs approved the financial review, but cited financial issues as the reason why the file had not progressed.
Mme Archibald claimed that the AFN’s ten regional chiefs — who are selected by local political groups — got angry and maneuvered against his leadership.
“It was a form of lateral violence,” she said. It was inhuman. »
Hundreds of First Nations chiefs and leaders will gather in Halifax next week for the annual general meeting.
Mme Archibald said she intended to send a memo to all chiefs before deciding whether or not to attend the meeting.
She asked to be reinstated and said she would return if the chiefs insisted it be reinstated at next week’s meeting.
“I am no longer national chief unless the chiefs ask me to come back to the AGM next week,” she said. And I accept it. »