First Nations University launched

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More than 2,000 people gathered together on June 21 to help the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College (SIFC) celebrate its new campus and identity.

The SIFC, which has been providing post-secondary education to both First Nations and non-First Nations students for the past 27 years, is now the First Nations University of Canada. The name change was timed to coincide with the official opening of the school's new Regina campus, and makes the First Nations-run institute the only one of its kind in North America.

Vikas Khaladkar is chair of the university's project management team, and was also the school's acting dean of academics for two years. He says students who enter First Nations University will not only get a world-class education, but will be treated more holistically than if they choose to attend elsewhere.

"Besides the academics, we try to maximize the success that is culturally consistent in keeping with the ways of the Elders," said Khaladkar, who's been involved with the school for more than 20 years.

Since 1976 when SIFC opened with seven students, the school has been affiliated with the University of Regina, and that relationship will continue following the college's metamorphosis into a university. During those 27 years, more than 2,000 students at SIFC have graduated with degrees, diplomas and certificates.

The school currently has more than 500 full-time students and 1,000 part-time students enrolled in Regina, with another 500 students attending at the school's other campuses in Saskatoon and Prince Albert. Though the enrolment continues to rise, the concept of keeping a low student-to-teacher ratio remains key, Khaladkar explained, adding that there is a closer relationship between the faculty and students at this school than there is at other universities.

Prior to the opening of the new campus, SIFC operations in Regina were scattered throughout seven locations in the city. Creation of the new campus in Regina has been more than a decade in the making, and the timing couldn't be better.

Currently, Aboriginal people make up more than 10 per cent of Saskatchewan's population, and that percentage keeps increasing. The Aboriginal population in the province is also younger than the non-Aboriginal population-the average age for Aboriginal people in Saskatchewan is 17, while the average age for non-Aboriginal people is 39. Which means many employers will be looking to Aboriginal people to meet an increasing demand for employees as the current workforce nears retirement age.

Because students are required to attend classes at the U of R in conjunctionwith their courses at the First Nations University, the school won't be producing graduates who have been insulated from non-Native lifestyles, Khaladkar said, adding that the staff too teaches at both campuses.

"There is a joint set of standards as far as what's taught in the classroom and the academic credentials of our faculty are also the same as the staff at the University of Regina. Teachers here will teach there and must meet that bar."

Among those attending the unveiling of the university was Matthew Coon Come, National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations. He expressed excitement about what the school means to First Nations' people across the country.

"Education is a way to get out of our poverty and give our young people a choice," Coon Come said. "This university is First Nations controlled, that's the difference, with its board of directors who are First Nations leaders."

Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) Chief Perry Bellegarde was also on hand at the opening of the new campus. Stating that education is a right that dates back to 1874 when the local First Nations signed Treaty 4, Bellegarde said this university is a necessary part of the rebuilding of those First Nations.

"The first (type of school) is the kindergarten through Grade 12 and the post-secondary education with the maths and te sciences and everything ese. But equally important is that which our Elders talked about-the languages, the traditions and the culture. This is a good balance and that's what this institution teaches us," Bellegarde said.

Regina MP Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Federal Interlocutor for the Metis and Non-Status Indians, also took part in the celebrations, speaking about the importance and symbolism of opening the new campus and launching the university on National Aboriginal Day.

"In a very tangible way, this day helps fulfill the dream of ancient leaders who, seeing the disappearance of the ancient buffalo, saw that for their people's future the new buffalo would be education," Goodale said.

Saskatchewan Premier Lorne Calvert spoke of how these ceremonies ranked among the milestones of the province's history, including the openings of the legislature and the universities of Regina and Saskatchewan.

One of the last dignitaries to speak was the school's president, Dr. Eber Hampton. Saying that his heart was "full of pride and joy", he stated that this day was important not only for First Nations, but for all people, the province of Saskatchewan and Canada as a whole. Hampton also recognized the school's past by acknowledging the institution's previous incarnation, specifically singling out one word from the name the school had operated under for more than a quarter of a century.

"Federated in the literal translation is to accompany and invite our siblings to accomplish something," Hampton said. "Today we can say we did this ourselves and nobody did this for us."