Allegations of intimidation against the Leader of the Assembly of First Nations

Complaints are filed under the organization’s whistleblower policy.

In a statement released Thursday, theAPN confirmed that it had received several complaints against Ms Archibald last month and determined that the findings required further investigation by an external investigator.

In her own statement released on Thursday, Ms Archibald welcomed the opening of the investigation, and called for a forensic audit and an independent inquiry into the last eight years of the operation.APN.

Ms Archibald said four staff members filed a lawsuit against her after they tried to get contract payments worth $ 1 million.

” Silent deals, large staff payments and other documented incidents of corruption and conspiracy have caused us to forget our single goal: to fight for the collective rights of more than 900,000 indigenous people living in more than 600 communities, cities. and First Nations village on Turtle Island. “

The whistleblower mechanism used by staff to file complaints against Ms Archibald was set up last year following a separate investigation into bullying and harassment she faced when she was Ontario’s regional chief.

Disputed practices

The new complaints include the alleged introduction of Ms. Archibald of a Hawaiian cultural practice called ho’oponopono in weekly meetings. Complainants say that as part of this training, Ms Archibald recited prayers for staff members to heal or correct their mistakes, and asked them to share their childhood traumas.

Several sources who spoke to CBC News said some staff members said the training had re-traumatized them. These sources testified on condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation.

Ms. Archibald’s lawyer, Aaron Detlor, told CBC News that he was not aware of any Hawaiian cultural customs used by the head of state or his asking people to show childhood trauma. He added that he knew Ms. Archibald was a strong believer in the healing practices of the Aboriginals.

The four staff who filed the complaints had paid leave. Ms. maintained. Archibald his position as National Chief.

According to CBC sources, the problems in the officeAPN in Ottawa began shortly after Ms. took office. Archibald in the summer.

These sources call the workplace toxic and are said to scare staff into entering work every day.

Both sources, familiar with Ms Archibald’s office activities, say employees were reprimanded by the national leader and teased for criticizing their work.

Internal pressures

According to three sources, Mrs Archibald is still not signing her employment contract and has asked to be paid the same salary as the Prime Minister. In a recording of a meeting Wednesday with Ontario regional leaders – reviewed by CBC News – Ms. Archibald was heard refusing to demand such a salary.

Mr. Detlor said the allegation was just wrong.

This will honestly raise broader questions related to some underlying issues where breaches of confidentiality and attempts to resolve journalism issues undermine the national leader’s efforts to begin with a path of healing.he said.

At the same meeting with the Ontario Chiefs, sources said, Ms. Archibald allegedly sought support in dissolving the secretariatAPNthe administrative and operational arms of the organization, employing approximately 200 people.

Si Ms. Archibald is also under pressure from some First Nations leaders to resign.

McLeod Lake Indian Band Chief Harley Chingee, whose band is in British Columbia, has developed a resolution to be filed at the AFN chiefs assembly next month to force the ouster of RoseAnne Archibald. This resolution was led by Long Plain First Nation Chief Kyra Wilson, whose community is in Manitoba.

With information from Olivia Stefanovich of the CBC News