The National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) gets his "mandate", to unilaterally make decisions without consulting the grassroots people, from resolutions that are passed at General Assemblies and Special Chiefs Assemblies. However, attendance and quorum at these events is questionable. There are approximately 630 Chiefs in Canada. How many of these Chiefs are actually present when resolutions are passed at the AFN assemblies? Does the National Chief even check quorum??? If quorum does not exist, the National Chief most likely does not have a valid mandate.
Watch the videos of past assemblies and determine for yourself whether the National Chief's office checked quorum just prior to passing resolutions The videos will speak for themselves. Of course, the National Chief could always post online the attendance of those Chiefs who are present and the quorum checks just prior to passing resolutions in order to refute my statements.
Come on National Chief Atleo, show us the integrity of your office and post the quorum checks and attendance just prior to passing resolutions. I would love to be wrong on this issue. Prove me wrong! We, the grassroots people have a right to know whether your resolutions are even valid in the first place!
The National Chief of the AFN is an illegitimate position and the organization itself requires major reform to reflect the diversity and autonomy of First Nations at the grassroots level.
I would say it's about time to change the status quo and make the "National Chief" accountable to everyone, including the Chiefs on the ground.
Stay tuned for another blog on the charitable status of the AFN. I am sure that many non-First Nations people would donate to the AFN if it had a reformed and accountable governance structure and charitable status so that donators could write the donation off when they file tax returns. However, AFN does not have charitable status and cannot give tax receipts for donations. If it did have charitable status, the board of directors (the Executive Committee, including the National Chief) would not be able to receive their big, fat, tax-free paychecks. Who suffers? The grassroots people.
WHO IS WATCHING OUT FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN?
This blog is not meant to provide legal advice. Please seek independant legal advice as it pertains to your situation.
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