Government funding trickles in to sustain FNUniv

Frustrations are surely mounting for those at the First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv) these days, as ongoing talks between politicians continue and progress to reinstate full government funding remains slow.

“The survival of the university is absolutely critical,” said 4th year Indian Social Work student at FNUniv’s Saskatoon campus, Shelley Arcand. “The First Nations University of Canada is unique to the city, the Province, I believe it’s unique to our communities. It has so much to offer that mainstream universities don’t… students thrive in this environment.”

Just at the brink of the university’s demise in late March, the provincial government announced it would reinstate funds after an MOU was signed between FNUniv, the University of Regina, the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) and the Province. It outlines a four-year deal that will see provincial funds flow through the University of Regina (U of R) to FNUniv – if conditions are met.

At all four campuses in March, students staged a ‘live-in’ and were later joined by faculty and staff, with vows to remain camped out at the university buildings until the federal government reinstated the $7.2 million in withheld funding.

Indian Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl maintained his position that the situation at FNUniv was shaky and further agreements were needed to guarantee the federal government would reinstate funds after April.
At a Saskatoon press conference on March 24th, FSIN Chief Guy Lonechild stated he is ready and willing to meet with Minister Strahl at any time to discuss how the process can be concluded in a manner that focuses on the needs of students.

“We’re going to put together a work plan,” Chief Lonechild said. “We will leave it up to the federal government to decide where the funding will come from. There is no specific dollar figure but we’re hoping that it’s a sustainable amount of funding to carry us through.”

Lonechild said the MOU has a number of milestones to pass including a complete reorganization plan by April 30, a long-term depoliticized board by June 30, and restructuring the organization before the execution of the administration services contract.

At the press conference, AFN National Chief Shawn Atleo sat alongside Chief Lonechild and FNUniv students, offering his own perspective on the role of education for Canada’s Aboriginal people.

“Residential schools were the tool of oppression in the past, well, education is now being turned through institutions like this university as a tool of freedom, as a tool of emancipation for our people,” said Chief Atleo.
“And as such, there is every reason and right that we would gravitate to support the students in their aspirations and that’s exactly the approach I’ve heard described. I believe the momentum has shifted in a very positive way and we would encourage the government to sit down with the authorities here to continue working with them,” he added.

As a student in her first year of Indian Social Work at FNUniv, Tala Tootoosis admits that although it is frustrating, she’s trying to stay positive and not think about the fact that she may be forced out of university during her program.

“I’m really devastated about what’s going on. … I don’t know what I’d do right now because that’s the only school that teaches what they teach,” she said. “That’s why we’re camping in the school. We want to show that no matter what, we want the school to stay here and keep running.”

On March 31, the federal government announced it would provide $3 million in funding through the Indian Students Support Program, which is to be handled through the U of R and used solely for student programming.

In a press release responding to Strahl’s decision, Chief Lonechild called it “a step in the right direction with a long way to travel.

“Our goal was, and our goal remains, a long term, sustainable funding agreement with the Government of Canada,” he said. “It is through long-term core funding that we can ensure First Nations University is equipped to carry out its pivotal role for First Nations people and for all Canadians.”

On April 1, FNUniv’s Interim Board Chair Joely Bigeagle announced that Dr. Shauneen Pete would carry the role of Interim President after recently appointed Interim President, Del Anaquod, stepped down to take on the responsibilities of Advisor to the President.

Students and faculty are continuing to hold the ‘live-in’ into the month of April, with the aim of doing so until the federal government reinstates the full $7.2 million to FNUniv.