Internal conflict dominates AFN General Assembly for second straight day
For the second consecutive day, emergency resolutions related to a conflict between the Assembly of First Nations National Chief and the organization’s executive council threw the agenda into chaos.
A potential outside audit into the AFN’s finances and management practices remains up in the air after an emergency resolution calling for one was punted for the second day in a row.
The motion was originally on the agenda for 11 a.m. Tuesday, then moved to Wednesday morning. Delegates finally began debating it Wednesday afternoon.
Many amendments had been made to the original resolution, and by the time debate began, very few people in the room had an updated copy.
After a brief recess, the decision was made to table the resolution until Thursday morning, when debate is expected to continue, followed by a vote.
“We have to have competent and skilled financial management,” said Doug Kelly, of British Columbia’s Sto:Lo Tribal Council. “If there’s any question whatsoever about that competency or integrity, then we need to address it.”
Elected National Chief Roseanne Archibald has levelled allegations of widespread corruption, and ran on a campaign to reform the AFN from within.
Another emergency resolution calling for vote of non-confidence in Archibald was withdrawn.
Archibald easily won a vote Tuesday on an emergency resolution calling for an affirmation of the suspension she had been under since June 17 over allegations of workplace bullying.
Much of the first two days of the annual meeting has been devoted to the conflict between Archibald and the AFN’s executive council, leaving little time for chiefs and proxies who travelled from around the country to debate serious issues on the agenda, including child welfare, health and education.
“Sometimes it happens where we get focused on differences, and not what we share in common,” Kelly said.
More than one delegation used its time at the podium to decry the amount of time and resources devoted to the emergency resolutions and not the 48 draft resolutions that pertain to many of the serious issues Indigenous communities across the country are dealing with.
Rosalie LaBillois of the AFN National Youth Council was in tears as she urged those in attendance to focus more attention on the issue of child welfare.
“Remember all the missing First Nations children out there who are waiting to come home,” she said. “Every time you decide to squabble amongst yourselves, you forget the children and the young people that you once swore to protect.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
South Korean sentenced to 14 months in jail for killing 76 cats
South Korean man has been sentenced to 14 months in prison for killing 76 cats in one of the country's most gruesome cases of animal cruelty in recent years.