First Nations chief sues AFN, national chief over corruption allegations

A northern Ontario First Nations chief has filed a lawsuit claiming $200,000 in damages from the Assembly of First Nations and its National Chief RoseAnne Archibald after she accused him of corruption.

Just days after that statement of claim was filed in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the Assembly of First Nations' (AFN) executive committee apologized to Chief Wilfred King of Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek, a community located about 175 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, Ont. that is also known as Gull Bay First Nation.

In a letter sent on behalf of the AFN executive committee, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland Regional Chief Paul Prosper absolved King of any wrongdoing and said the committee will continue to urge Archibald to apologize personally. 

"The AFN Executive Committee recognizes that the National Chief's statements may have been intended to cause, and may have in fact caused, injury to your reputation," Prosper wrote in the Oct. 20 letter obtained by CBC News.

"I write to advise that the AFN Executive Committee has conducted a review of the National Chief's statements and media posts and has identified no evidence of any corrupt activities on your part."

Archibald's legal counsel told CBC News the executive committee's move "wasn't done in the spirit of cooperation."

"I don't believe that the national chief was consulted or that this issue was discussed with her advance," Aaron Detlor said.

"It raises serious issues about how an executive committee that's supposed to include the national chief … how it continues to go about business in an exclusionary fashion."

Archibald cited King's name and the $22,500 he received for an AFN contract awarded under her predecessor, former national chief Perry Bellegarde, in a July 1 email to more than 40 chiefs entitled "URGENT & CONFIDENTIAL: proof of corruption."

The email, which CBC News also obtained, names King along with dozens of other individuals, law firms and corporations which received AFN contracts between 2020 and 2021.

"I welcome this lawsuit and look forward to a trial with Chief King as I believe that the truth will be revealed," Archibald said in a media statement sent to CBC News by her office.

"Ultimately, the First Nations-in-Assembly (Chiefs) have a right to know who is getting contracts from the AFN and why." 

Archibald has not filed a statement of defence and the claim against her has yet to be contested in court.

As of Thursday morning, Detlor said, Archibald had not received any legal papers informing her about the lawsuit.