OTTAWA- The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) already caught up in allegations of a toxic workplace is losing its CEO .
AFN CEO Janice Ciavaglia
AFN CEO Janice Ciavaglia is resigning according to reports by the CBC.
Ciavaglia is one of five AFN employees who filed a human resources complaint against national chief RoseAnne Archibald last year that sparked a temporary suspension of Archibald last summer and led to an investigation by Stockwoods Baristers law firm. While the employees were interviewed, the AFN was told at its December assembly Archibald has not been interviewed despite repeated requests from August 2022-Dec., 2022. According to the CBC a “July 4 briefing note from Stockwoods Baristers law firm showed allegations the national chief exhibited “paranoia” against Ciavaglia and had accused Ciavaglia of collusion.”
AFN National Chief RoseAnne Archibald
Archibald, herself is currently in Winnipeg.
The AFN vice-president of operations and administration Jonathan Thompson sent an email to all secretariat staff Monday announcing Ciavaglia tendered her resignation effective March 10th. The email did not explain why she was resigning.
Ciavaglia, a former teacher, has been with the AFN since 2020 under former National Chief Perry Bellegarde’s term. As CEO she oversees the AFN’s secretariat the organization’s non-political arm. The secretariat has over 170 employees who work on policy work associated with the AFN’s advocacy work for over 600 First Nations. The CEO is hired by the AFN executive and is expected to appoint an interim CEO.
Ciavaglia could not be reached for comment. Her AFN email address is sending bounce backs.
AFN communications officer Kelly Reid said, “We have no comment,” when asked about the resignation .
In December Archibald announced they were brining in Murray Sinclair, former chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, as a mediator to help with conflict resolution. However Sinclair announced he is not taking on any works and is instead dealing with a health issue.
