First Nations chief sues national chief AFN over corruption allegations

The First Nations Chief of Northern Ontario filed a lawsuit seeking $200,000 in damages after the First Nations Congress and its National Chief, Roseanne Archibald, accused him of corruption.

Just days after a statement of its allegations was filed in the Ontario Superior Court, the First Nations (AFN) Executive Committee ordered Wilfred King, Chief of Kiashke Zaadin Anisinaabek, a community located about 175 kilometers north of Thunder Bay, Ontario, to I apologized. Also known as Galvey First Nation.

In a letter sent on behalf of the AFN Executive Committee, Regional Chief of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, Paul Prosper, excused King of any wrongdoing and said the committee would continue to support Archibald. He said he would urge him to apologize personally.

In an October 20 letter obtained by CBC News, Prosper said, “The AFN Executive Committee recognizes that the National Chief’s statements were intended and may have harmed your reputation. ing.

“We regret to inform you that the AFN Executive Committee has reviewed the National Chief’s statement and media posts and was unable to identify evidence of your wrongdoing.”

‘We welcome this lawsuit’: Archibald

Archibald’s attorney told CBC News that the executive committee’s move “was not made in the spirit of cooperation.”

Aaron Detler said, “I don’t think I’ve consulted the president or that this issue has been discussed before her.

“It raises serious questions about how the executive committee, which is supposed to include the head of the country, conducts business in an exclusive way.”

Archibald has referred to King’s name and the $22,500 he received for the AFN contract awarded under her predecessor, former President Perry Beregard, as “Urgent & Confidential: Evidence of Corruption.” citing in a July 1 email to more than 40 mayors entitled:

The email, also obtained by CBC News, names King, along with dozens of other individuals, law firms and companies that signed AFN contracts between 2020 and 2021.

“I welcome this lawsuit and look forward to the trial with Chief King as I believe the truth will come out,” Archibald said in a media statement sent to CBC News from her office.

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

Archibald has not filed a defense statement and the claims against her are not yet contested in court.

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

Detler said he was in court so he could not speak specifically on the case. said that he was trying to solve the

“With a fair and open process, contract details should be readily available,” said Detlor.

“Why does AFN have a contract process that no one knows about?”

AFN executive committee “clear apology”

King and his attorney declined CBC’s request for an interview, noting that the matter was in court.

In a statement, King said there was no malice in the contract and he never noticed any concerns about impropriety before it expired about four months later.

“To the best of his knowledge, it was carried out transparently and in full compliance with all AFN policies and procedures,” the statement said in his allegations.

According to King’s bill, both Bellegarde and Archibald, who was then regional director of Ontario, used solar energy to gain power over the Clean First Nation.

King claims Belgarde asked him if he would help other indigenous peoples develop similar energy projects.

King’s contract began on November 5, 2020 and ended on March 31, 2021.

Despite the AFN Executive Committee’s apology, King continues to sue Archibald and AFN because he claims he is responsible for Archibald’s actions.

King seeks $150,000 for libel and reputational damage and $50,000 for punitive, consequential and exemplary damages.

Prosper said in a letter to King that the AFN Executive Committee issued a public statement to Archibald apologizing for her comments and to limit the “potential reputational harm” King may have experienced. He said he was “repeatedly impressed” with the need to work with King to prepare.

“Unfortunately, to date, the National Chief has not responded to the request of the AFN Executive Committee,” Prosper wrote.

“Therefore, the AFN Executive Committee, on behalf of the Indigenous Peoples Congress and the AFN Secretariat, unequivocally apologizes to you and your organization for President Archibald’s remarks.”

Both Archibald and Prosper declined the CBC’s request for an interview.

The AFN Secretariat, which operates separately from the State Secretary’s Office, also declined to comment.

AFN Resolution Requires Changes to Contract Rules

Indigenous chiefs, who meet at the AFN’s Special Conference of Mayors in Ottawa next week, are expected to vote on a resolution to reform the organization’s contracting process.

The resolution was moved by Bachwana First Nation Chief Dean Thayer and the Squamish Nation. Governing Body Chair Hercilem requests that AFN prepare an annual analysis of its procurement activities to ensure that the principles of accountability, transparency and fairness are respected.

It directs AFN to issue a quarterly report on all contracts and those requesting contracts to share with Indigenous chiefs who attend a conference in Ottawa next week.

The AFN Executive Committee passed a motion on August 22, directing it to draft a formal letter and directing it to the country’s chief to apologize to AFN’s independent contractors. media. “

At the time, the Chief agreed to apologize on behalf of AFN in response to potential allegations if Archibald did not apologize.

On Aug. 16, after receiving four letters outlining potential defamation claims, AFN issued a letter to its insurer, the Great American Insurance Group, notifying them of potential claims against the organization. It was sent.

So far, only King has filed a lawsuit.

However, AFN also received letters from three other people who had won AFN contracts and were named on Archibald’s “proof of corruption” list.

In a letter to King, Prosper said: “Unfortunately, the National Chief’s comments are not intended to harm the reputation of others who have held leadership positions within the AFN or who have served on behalf of the AFN. It seems that he intended to