RoseAnne Archibald removed as Assembly of First Nations national chief in vote
Global News
AFN chiefs voted to remove Archibald, the first woman elected as national chief, in a virtual meeting held over Zoom to discuss alleged harassment complaints against her.
Assembly of First Nations chiefs voted Wednesday to remove RoseAnne Archibald as national chief, bringing an end to an acrimonious term for the organization under its embattled leader and sparking an early search for her replacement.
The vote was held during a virtual special chiefs assembly meeting over Zoom, where 71 per cent of First Nations leaders voted in favour of Archibald’s removal. The motion needed at least 60 per cent support to pass.
Archibald was the first woman to hold the position of national chief.
“We look forward to getting back to the important work of advancing First Nations priorities and acting on behalf of the best interests of our communities,” AFN Nova Scotia Regional Chief Paul Prosper said in a statement released by the organization.
“We extend our best wishes to RoseAnne Archibald in her future endeavors.”
Archibald has yet to comment publicly on her removal and her office did not respond to a request for comment. Her Twitter account was deleted shortly after the vote Wednesday.
Controversy has been swirling around Archibald and her leadership since she was elected in 2021.
At the time of her election, she was already facing an investigation into allegations of harassment and bullying from her time as Ontario regional chief. She said then that the probe, which has since been resolved, was due to her vocal allegations that women and LGBTQ2 members of the organization were facing harassment and bullying.