AFN chooses interim national chief ahead of annual meeting – APTN News

Jul 10, 2023

Bernard, albeit in a temporary position, is the second female chief to lead the national Indigenous advocacy group

The Assembly of First Nations has appointed a new temporary leader as the advocacy organization tries to forge a path forward after the tumultuous tenure and ousting of its national chief.

Joanna Bernard, who is the regional chief for New Brunswick, has been chosen as the interim national chief until a new one is elected in December.

“It is crucial that the Assembly of First Nations resume its important work of advancing First Nations’ priorities,” Bernard said in a news release Monday.

The decision comes ahead of this week’s annual general assembly in Halifax where hundreds of Indigenous leaders are set to gather for the first time since former national chief RoseAnne Archibald was ousted from the organization’s helm.