An emergency resolution investigating the financial and management practices of the Assembly of First Nations finally made it to the annual general meeting Thursday, after many amendments.
The resolution, introduced by Chief Wendy Jocko of the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation, Ont., directs the Chiefs Committee on Charter Renewal to conduct a review of financial policies and practices and provide a report with recommendations to the AFN Executive Committee.
The decision was adopted with 75 percent of the chiefs and proxies present voting in favor. A total of 148 chiefs and proxies voted for the decision and 50 were against. There were 18 abstentions.
“We as chiefs deserve to know what’s going on in our organization,” said Lance Haymond, chief of Kebaowek in Quebec, who supported the resolution.
Cluan Adamek, Yukon regional chief and AFN steering committee chair, said she signed off on the latest audit on Sunday.
“From our perspective and the information that was shared, I didn’t see any concerns with the information that I reviewed as part of the steering committee and as chair,” she told the assembly.
Lance Haymond, chief of the Kebaowek First Nation in Quebec, supported an emergency resolution calling for a review of AFN’s financial practices. (Ka’nhehsí:io Deer/CBC)
The Superintendents’ Committee on Charter Renewal, which is comprised of executives who review governance issues, will examine how the current practice and contracting process is practiced, review policies and processes that address transparency and accountability, and conflicts of interests.
The resolution also directs the committee to make recommendations if an independent third-party forensic audit is needed for the past 10 years, focusing on recent salary payments and contracts.
“Victory”
The lengthy resolution also directs the national head and executive committee to begin a reconciliation process and the Chiefs’ Committee for Charter Renewal to implement a previous resolution passed in 2020 to eradicate gender-based discrimination within the organization. in conjunction with an independent third-party investigation into the climate of toxicity, harassment and collateral violence.
“A number of CEOs have already contacted me to say how we’re going to start moving forward, and we’re already thinking about how to bring elders into the process, how to do a healing process so that we can move forward together,” said National Chief RoseAnn Archibald .
The decision stems from support for Archibald. Regional executives fired her last month after she made public statements accusing four employees of claiming more than $1 million in benefits. She is also calling for a forensic examination of alleged corruption in the organization.
Responding to the passed resolution, Archibald said it was not a personal victory, but a victory for bosses in the assembly who want transparency and accountability.
“It’s a win for them,” she said.
“This is a victory for all the ordinary people who have been calling for this for many years.”
Thursday is the final day of the 43rd Annual General Meeting, entitled “Walking the Path of Healing,” in Vancouver.
Several federal ministers are expected to address the assembly on Thursday afternoon. Before addressing the assembly, Indigenous Services Minister Patty Haidoo said: “It is important that the AFN continues to make these decisions for themselves about how they want to report to their members.
“This is obviously something that is an internal AFN decision and we will be here to support them in those processes.”
A committee member says resources will be needed
The Charter Renewal Committee currently has several vacancies. Helsilem, chair-elect of the Squamish Nation, sits on the committee and said he hopes the resolution will give a boost to the many projects.
“I hope to do a lot of work over the next two months so that we can be ready to present as many recommendations as possible by the AGM in December,” Helsilem said.
Helsilem is the elected chair of the Squamish Nation and serves on the Chiefs Committee for Charter Renewal. (Ka’nhehsí:io Deer/CBC)
However, he worries that the commission will not be given the necessary resources to do the said work – be it legal, technical or communication support.
“There will definitely be a need for significant resources to support this work,” he said.
“If we’re not able to start making some necessary changes, I worry about the effectiveness of the organization to be able to achieve the outcome that it needs to achieve.”
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