First Nations University of Canada

Coordinates: 50°25′9.55″N 104°34′55.86″W / 50.4193194°N 104.5821833°W / 50.4193194; -104.5821833

First Nations University of Canada
Established	Saskatchewan Indian Federated College (1976-2003); First Nations University of Canada (2003-present)
Type	University
President	Charles Pratt
Location	Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Campus	Regina Campus (Regina) Saskatoon Campus (Saskatoon) North Campus (Prince Albert)
Affiliations	AUCC
Website	www.firstnationsuniversity.ca

The First Nations University of Canada (formerly Saskatchewan Indian Federated College) is a university in Saskatchewan, Canada with campuses in Regina, Saskatoon, and Prince Albert. The Regina campus building was designed by architect Douglas Cardinal.

Facts/Misconceptions

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Although it is called the First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv) and is recognized as a university by the Saskatchewan Government, the FNUniv is in name only a university. FNUniv Regina campus remains a federated college of the University of Regina (UofR) so degrees from the FNUniv are recognized as UofR degrees.

The top two and a half floors of the FNUniv Regina Campus building are leased as office space to Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) who hover over daily operations of FNUniv both figuratively and literally.

FNUniv students of Regina campus pay regular UofR related and University of Regina Student Union (URSU) fees. Like the other federated colleges of Luther and Campion, FNUniv students utilize all of the UofR facilities (libraries, book stores, clubs, parking, labs, etc.) and services (meal plans, residences, web/on-line services, career counseling, etc.). This of course means that FNUniv degree programs are intertwined with the rest of the UofR curriculum.

The FNUniv is of course for students of all cultures and nationalities and not restricted only to students of First Nations descent.

History

Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex opened the university in 2003. It was host to another royal visitor when Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, made it her first engagement during the centennial celebrations of Saskatchewan and Alberta in 2005.

Star Blanket Cree Nation is supporting a plan to declare the institution's property an Urban Indian reserve under a Saskatchewan Treaty Land Entitlement Agreement involving Star Blanket, the provincial and federal governments. Band members of the Star Blanket Nation unanimously voted in favour of this plan during a 2008 referendum.^[2]

Partnerships

Wilson School (First Nations University) Campus in Saskatoon

The Saskatchewan Indian Federated College was affiliated with the University of Regina. It was founded in 1976 by an agreement between the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations and the University of Regina, with the stated intent of serving "the academic, cultural and spiritual needs of First Nations' students".^[3]

Aboriginal

First Nations University of Canada designed special programs in partnership with Aboriginal communities to meet the human resource needs of Aboriginal communities in areas such as health, education and the environment - examples include its National School of Dental Therapy, Nursing and Health Studies programs. The FNUC provides special first-year bridging programs for Aboriginal students. Aboriginal Elders are present on campus at the FNUC to provide social supports. First Nations University offers a comprehensive career services program to assist with the transition to a fulfilling career.^[4]

Controversies

In May 2007, the university was put on probation by the AUCC, following a controversy in February 2005, in which the university fired a number of staff members. The association demanded the university establish full independence from the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations within a year.^[5] The university complied with the AUCC directives, and was reinstated in April 2008.^[6]

Two former employees of the institution have been charged with defrauding the university; as of October 2008, both matters are still before the courts.^[7]

In October 2008, the government of Saskatchewan gave the university $1.6 million to relieve a chronic budget deficit. The money was given to cover salaries of faculty and operating expenses. Another $400,000 was to be spent on a review of the university's long-term operations.^[8][9]

In November 2008, the Canadian Association of University Teachers voted unanimously to censure FNUC and asked its members not accept jobs, honours or awards at the university. Changes made to deal with academic freedom, governance and political autonomy were reported to be reason for the censure vote.^[10]

In January 2009, Shauneen Pete was dismissed from her position as Vice-President of Academics. University officials at the time refused to give any reason, citing the dismissal as an internal personnel matter.^[11] On January 13th, the FNUC Students' Association organized a rally to protest the dismissal. The rally took place in the Student Common area, next door to where the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations held an unrelated symposium in the central foyer. The First Nations leadership in attendance avoided the media and declined to comment on the student protest.^[12][13]

In February 2009, the provincial government withheld $200,000 of funding. Lack of progress in solving the institution's problems was cited as the reason.^[14] By March 18, enough progress had been made for the government to release half the frozen funds.^[15]

In June 2009, the federal government withheld $2.4 million in funding, saying it wanted to see changes at the institution before the money would be handed over.^[16] University officials responded by accusing the federal and provincial governments of being uncooperative and unnecessarily negative in their attempts to address alleged governance problems.^[17]

In December 2009 the university's chief financial officer, Murray Westerlund, left his position. Westerlund said he was fired, but FNUC president Charles Pratt said his departure was mutually agreed upon.^[18] FNUC officials also missed another series of deadlines to file various reports, which lead the federal government to withhold $1.8 million in funding.^[19]

See also

• Monarchy in Saskatchewan
• First Nations University Students' Association
• Higher education in Saskatchewan

References

External links

• Official site
• Significance of Treaties Reaffirmed Through Historic Royal Visit (2001)
• Award Winner Receives Royal Treatment (2003)
• First Nations University of Canada

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