A vote to suspend Assembly of First Nations National Chief Roseanne Archibald has been rejected by Chiefs at their general assembly in Vancouver.
The emergency resolution was brought forward after the AFN’s Executive Committee, last month, suspended Archibald over complaints.
Archibald told Chiefs the real reason was her failure to authorize a million dollars in staff payouts.
“I refused. I knew it was wrong. Funding that I am entrusted with is meant to help you,” Archibald said before the vote.
Archibald also said her suspension by the Executive Committee, which is made up of regional chiefs, was illegal because it didn’t have the power to do so.
Tk’emlups te Secwepemc Chief Rosanne Casimir had moved the motion at the assembly.
“It’s just about a confidential investigation, and that’s something that we all want. We want that not only at the AFN level but within our own communities. And when we’re looking at policies, it’s about building stronger communities. To me, this is embarrassing,” says Casimir.
Chiefs are still to vote on a non-confidence motion this morning.
They will also consider another that calls for a forensic audit of the organization.
