An investigation into allegations against former Assembly of First Nations national chief RoseAnne Archibald found the ousted leader was guilty of workplace harassment and created a toxic work environment.
A summary of the findings obtained by The Canadian Press says Archibald failed to maintain confidentiality and breached AFN policy, including by retaliating against complainants.
That triggered a special assembly last week, where chiefs voted to remove Archibald as the head of the AFN. The resolution passed with support from about 70 percent of those who took part in the virtual meeting.
Archibald said in a video posted online Monday that she wants to be reinstated, calling her ouster a “violent” attack on “an Indigenous, First Nation woman leader.”
It does, however, confirm that two of the five complaints it investigated led to findings that Archibald’s conduct “amounted to harassment.”
And in all five cases, it said, she committed “wrongdoing” as defined by AFN policy.
It also says she “retaliated and reprised against the complainants” contrary to AFN policy by making those public statements, causing all five of the complainants’ harm.
“As the head of the organization, we would venture that (Archibald) has an added responsibility to respect and comply with its policies.”
Archibald has consistently denied all the allegations against her.
In Monday’s video, she stated the “pushback” she’s been receiving is because she’s been fighting corruption at the AFN since October 2020.
“I don’t want to be reinstated because of my ego. I want to be reinstated because I have a sacred responsibility that I have to fulfill,” Archibald said in the video.
“What the chiefs did on June 28 is ... they just went ahead and did one of the most violent acts against an Indigenous, First Nation woman leader.”
It says one of the complainants told investigators Archibald didn’t want to speak with staff because she didn’t trust anyone and “wondered who may be trying to get rid of her in her new role.”
The investigators were retained by AFN in June 2022 to review four complaints that had been submitted in mid-May, and the scope of the investigation was expanded on June 21 to include a fifth complaint.
A copy of last week’s resolution obtained by The Canadian Press shows it was moved and seconded by two women, Chief Irene Kells of Zhiibaahaasing First Nation in Ontario and Chief Kyra Wilson of Long Plains First Nation in Manitoba.
The AFN is a national advocacy organization that represents more than 600 First Nations.