FNUC staff fed up after government freezes funds again

A lot has been happening at the First Nations University of Canada (FNUC) in the past few months: a $2.5 million freeze of government funding, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) agreement between the Saskatoon campus and Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST), and a controversial speech at a FNUC festival and open house in June.
The signing ceremony for a new jointly run Aboriginal policing program was attended by 100 gathered dignitaries, staff, students, and members of the public. It took an unexpected turn of events after a speech by FNUC faculty member Sharon Acoose, in which she commented on a recent holdback of $2.4 million in funding by the Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC).
"Let us do our jobs," Acoose said. "Quit holding the purse strings above our heads, we are not puppets." FNUC vice-president of academics Herman Michell expressed his agreement with Acoose.
"I call on the federal and provincial government to step up to the plate and help us do our work," he said.
The halt of government funds comes with demands from INAC that changes be made to the board structure, after FNUC board chair Chief Clarence Bellegarde wrote a letter to the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT), asking them to remove the censure that has been in place since last December.
INAC spokesperson, Trevor Sutter told CANWEST news the university must meet deadlines in the next months and submit a final action plan by January 2001 to allow the release of funds. He added the conditions are being imposed to ensure the long-term sustainability of the university.
In Bellegarde's letter, he asked that CAUT remove the censure from the university and mentioned the Supreme Court of Canada, which recently declined to hear an appeal of a professor's complaint against the university.
He asked CAUT to "take the honourable action...to restore our public image, credibility and dignity as an institution."
CAUT president James Turk, who got the letter, told media that FNUC officials had already agreed at a March meeting that changes would take place. He said the sanctions will remain until the promised changes are made.
FNUC's June festival and open house, themed "Celebrating the Success of First Nations Education", was a two-day event comprised of children activities, musical and dance performances, a talent night, and Elder teachings. The opening ceremony announced the MOU agreement that will see SIAST's Aboriginal Police Preparation courses offered through the FNUniv campus in Saskatoon, with training provided in partnership by SIAST and the Saskatoon Police Service.