AFAC Under Fire: Financial Irregularities Spark Audit, Activist Skepticism
Ottawa, ON – The Association of Aboriginal Women of Canada (AFAC) is facing intense scrutiny following the discovery of “serious and important financial irregularities,” prompting a federal audit and the sale of millions of dollars in assets. The news comes as the organization attempts to refocus on its core mission of advocating for the rights of Aboriginal women, but has ignited criticism from long-time activists questioning its effectiveness and transparency. This is a developing story, optimized for Google News and SEO to deliver breaking news quickly.
Financial Discrepancies Uncovered
According to a statement released by AFAC on Tuesday, current management uncovered the financial issues, which were reportedly unknown to the board of directors. The organization is cooperating fully with a federal audit covering the years 2018-2024 and is conducting its own internal investigation. AFAC has pledged to rebuild itself as an organization founded on “truth and transparency.”
The timing of these revelations is particularly sensitive, following a period of internal turmoil for the organization last year. AFAC is currently attempting to liquidate significant assets, including its headquarters in Gatineau, Quebec, listed for $8 million, and a resilience pavilion in Chelsea, Quebec, priced at $880,000. Public records show the Gatineau property underwent multiple re-mortgages, escalating from $1.8 million in 2018 to $7.5 million in 2022, coinciding with the peak of the pandemic real estate boom.
“They Mean Nothing to Me”: Activist Bridget Tolley’s Harsh Critique
The news has been met with skepticism from Bridget Tolley, a prominent Indigenous rights activist and a driving force behind Families of Sisters in Spirit. Tolley, who has spent over two decades seeking justice for her mother, Gladys Tolley, who died after an encounter with the Sûreté du Québec, voiced strong doubts about AFAC’s commitment to grassroots activism.
“I do not care about any of these organizations. They mean nothing to me,” Tolley stated. She argues that national organizations like AFAC are often absent during critical moments, while real change happens “at night and on weekends” with the tireless work of community activists responding to disappearances and murders of Indigenous women. Tolley recounted a history of feeling used by AFAC, particularly after the organization secured funding for the Sisters in Spirit initiative in 2004, only to cease engagement with families after the funding ended in 2010.
Recently, AFAC reached out to Tolley requesting assistance in organizing the annual Sisters in Spirit vigil, a move she viewed with suspicion. “I was shocked,” she said. “I don’t want them to be really involved because they used us the last time, and it was very hurtful, and the pain is still there.”
From Advocacy to Real Estate: A Questionable Shift
The AFAC’s foray into real estate investment, intended to generate independent income, has drawn criticism for being “elitist and disconnected” from the needs of the communities it serves. While a legal expert, Nicolas Vinette of Duclos Law, notes that the multiple mortgages aren’t inherently unusual – often used to finance renovations or secure further funding – the timing and location of the investments raise questions.
Vinette points out that the Gatineau property, located in an area heavily populated by federal buildings, may face challenges in attracting buyers, particularly with the rise of remote work. The current market favors residential properties, potentially complicating the sale. However, he believes a sale is still possible, depending on finding a buyer willing to pay the asking price.
The Bigger Picture: Indigenous Women’s Rights and Funding Challenges
This situation highlights a broader issue within the Indigenous rights landscape: the allocation of funding and the disconnect between national organizations and grassroots movements. For decades, Indigenous women have faced disproportionately high rates of violence and systemic discrimination. Initiatives like Sisters in Spirit, which aimed to document and raise awareness about missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, have been crucial in bringing these issues to light.
However, funding for these vital programs has often been inconsistent and insufficient. The lack of sustained support can hinder long-term progress and leave communities vulnerable. The AFAC’s current predicament underscores the importance of accountability and transparency in how funds are managed and the need for organizations to prioritize genuine collaboration with those directly affected by the issues they claim to address.
The AFAC’s commitment to reinvesting proceeds from asset sales into the well-being of Aboriginal women is a positive step, but rebuilding trust will require more than just words. It will demand a demonstrable shift towards prioritizing community needs, fostering genuine partnerships, and operating with unwavering transparency. Stay tuned to archyde.com for further updates on this developing story and in-depth coverage of Indigenous rights issues.
