Assembly of First Nations chiefs meet in Halifax to hear from new interim chief

Hundreds of Indigenous leaders are gathering today in Halifax for the start of the Assembly of First Nations annual general assembly, where they will hear from their new interim national chief for the first time.

Joanna Bernard, a regional chief from New Brunswick, is to temporarily led the national advocacy organization after the dramatic ouster of national chief RoseAnne Archibald.

Archibald was voted out during a recent special chiefs assembly held to address the findings of an investigation into staff members' complaints about her conduct.

Archibald told audiences during a Facebook Live broadcast in the lead-up to the three-day meeting that she may attend and that she is asking chiefs to reinstate her.

Chiefs are gathering to discuss issues ranging from First Nations policing and self-governance legislation for Métis communities.

The election of a new national chief and the appointment of a chief electoral officer are on the agenda, as well as speeches from federal ministers.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 11, 2023.