Some First Nations leaders criticize probe into national chief's workplace conduct

Some First Nations chiefs are calling for a different type of workplace investi‐ gation to probe claims that the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations bullied and harassed staff — while others are urging the national advo‐ cacy organization to get back to business.

In a memo sent on Jan. 26 to chiefs-in-assembly, Assem‐ bly of First Nations National Chief RoseAnne Archibald called the probe into her workplace behaviour a "colo‐ nial legal process" that dis‐ tracts from the AFN's real work.

Chief Wendy Jocko of the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation told CBC News she wants to see a new inves‐ tigation that's not led by an outside legal firm.

"There should be a new process that's grounded in cultural traditions and mov‐ ing away from the colonial processes," Jocko said.

Archibald is taking aim at the external probe launched by the Assembly of First Na‐ tions (AFN) last spring, citing concerns about the use of non-Indigenous investigators and claiming that she hasn't been told details of the allega‐ tions she faces.

"There's a clear lack of transparency on the part of the investigator," said Chief Lynn Acoose of Zagime An‐ ishinabek First Nations.

Acoose, who read Archibald's Jan. 26 memo out‐ lining her concerns, told CBC News she would like to see an Indigenous mediator appoint‐ ed.

"The process should be less confrontational than the process that's being under‐ taken right now," she said.

"Because she's a woman leader, she's expected to ac‐ cept less than what she's due."

AFN tells staff not to talk to media

Four of Archibald's senior staff filed complaints against her last year, along with the AFN's CEO Janice Ciavaglia, who is resigning next month.

Following CBC's coverage of Ciavaglia's resignation, AFN vice president of opera‐ tions and administration Jonathan Thompson sent an email to staff urging them not to speak to the media.

"I wanted to reinforce with all of you that our work is the priority and while it is difficult to ignore the media, we do have a great deal of impor‐ tant work to do," Thompson said in the email.

"While it is normal to want to speak out in response to the media coverage, many Human Resources processes mandate confidentiality and we will continue to do our best to maintain that princi‐ ple. I also urge all staff to not engage with the media."

Jaime Battiste, parliamen‐ tary secretary to Crown-In‐ digenous Relations Minister Marc Miller, called the latest AFN developments troubling.

"They serve a really impor‐ tant role in Canada and when AFN is strong, First Nations advocacy is strong," said Bat‐ tiste, who was a member of the AFN youth council and an interim regional chief.

"I hope to see whatever turmoil they're in cleared up in the months to come."

Despite the concerns, Miller said his government doesn't intend to pull finan‐ cial support for the AFN, which receives tens of millions of dollars annually from Ot‐ tawa.

"This type of situation, ob‐ viously, we are not saying we are blind to, but we do have to take a healthy distance to allow them to sort out their affairs internally," Miller said.

Wilfred King told CBC News that in the 20 years he's been chief of Gull Bay First Nation, he's never seen so much chaos within the AFN.

The national organization is now planning to host an‐ other special chiefs meeting in Ottawa from April 3 to 6 to work on a national action plan for the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, and to conclude outstanding busi‐ ness from its last assembly in December.

"We've got so many issues to deal with in our communi‐ ties, clean drinking water, housing, the infrastructure, racism and so forth," King said.

"We need an organization, especially a national leader, who's going to move the or‐ ganization forward."

King is suing Archibald over corruption allegations she made against him, which have not been proven in court.

He's not the only one tak‐ ing legal action. Chief Willie Littlechild and Laurie Buffalo from Maskwacis, Alta. also filed a lawsuit on similar grounds.

"It's an unfortunate step, but it's important to recog‐ nize that everybody is bound by the law and people's repu‐ tations are at stake," King said.