Archibald voted out as National Chief

Chiefs with the Assembly of First Nations have voted to remove RoseAnne Archibald as National Chief.

More than 70 per cent agreed with a resolution presented at a Special Chiefs Assembly held on Wednesday.

The vote came in response to a report by third-party investigators looking into five complaints against Archibald.

It revealed Archibald harassed two individuals and retaliated against the five who brought the complaints forward.

“After review of the Investigation Summary Report and hearing from National Chief RoseAnne Archibald, First Nations-in-Assembly accepted the Report and directed the removal of RoseAnne Archibald from the position of National Chief,” stated AFN Nova Scotia Regional Chief Paul Prosper in a release. “This decision was made due to her violation of the Whistleblower Policy and breach of the Executive Committee’s Code of Conduct.”

A draft resolution indicates the AFN Executive Committee passed a motion at the end of April recommending that the Chiefs-in-Assembly expel the National Chief but gave her twenty days to respond.

After the deadline passed without a response, the Executive Committee passed another motion in May reaffirming their recommendation to expel Archibald from the board and remove her as Chief.

“National Chief RoseAnne Archibald has caused much damage to the AFN, including its staff members, through her actions and behaviours, and she has not once taken responsibility for the damage. But instead, denies wrongdoing. As a result, the liability to AFN for her actions and behaviours is very high,” states the resolution.

Supporters of Archibald were quick to voice their displeasure with the vote on social media.

Tania Cameron from Kenora called it disappointing.

“I had supported her vision as she pursued the position, but it was always a battle for her to get the results she wanted,” wrote Cameron on Facebook.

The AFN plans to name an interim chief until elections in December.