Letter to the Editor: Safe to speak

An open letter to Vice-Chief Morley Watson:
My grandfather, John R. McLeod, and my late my grandmother, Ida McLeod, helped to build the Saskatchewan Indian Cultural College and also the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College. This, in turn, became the First Nations University of Canada. I have worked for the university for the last 10 years. I have many shortcomings, but I have given my heart and best to this school. The school has given me many things as well—great colleagues, knowledgeable Elders, great students and a place where I was able to grow. For these things, I will always be grateful.
I've thought a long time about these things and had hoped that things would change at the school we all love. I will preface my remarks by saying that I respect the office you hold, but I take profound exception with your leadership.
Here is what I take issue with:
1. Our knowledge systems, both from our First Nation cultures and also the model of the western university system, embrace free thought and the ability to critically examine issues and our society. Under your leadership, anyone who challenged you has been isolated, silenced and fired.
2. After the events of Feb. 17, there was what appeared to be a body guard on our campus. What other university has ever had such a position?
3. David Ahenakew, who made profoundly disturbing remarks about the victims of the Holocaust, was invited to speak at a university board meeting recently (as per a recent Prairie Dog article).
4. The take-over of our computer system, data, and indeed dismissals was done because of a signed affidavit that alluded to potential financial irregularities. While I laud attempts to explore alleged financial irregularities, where is the evidence of such things 18 months later? After a massive investigation that cost roughly $500,000 (I base this on press reports), I wonder why so much money was spent on this.
5. Lack of communication between your office and the staff. You have criticized many people because they went to the media, but that is where we have had to go to get much information regarding our school.
6. The Task Force Report has not been followed or implemented. This report was supposed to be an exploration of how the situation and crisis at our institution could be transformed.
7. The board needs to be de-politicized. This is one of the major recommendations of the Task Force Report, which has not been followed to the full extent.
8. Our membership in the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada needs to be evaluated. Dr. Pete’s report seems to be another smoke screen tactic to avoid the Task Force recommendations.
9. There has been a massive decline of morale at our institution in the last 18 months. The vibrant energy that once existed in my former department (Indigenous Studies), for instance, has withered away due, in part, to your draconian and systematic destruction of academic freedom in our institution and how many of our colleagues have been treated.
10. On Feb. 16, I, along with Dr. Denise Henning and Dr. Robin Fisher, presented our plans to the Academic Council of the University of Regina to begin a joint PhD program between the University of Regina and First Nations University of Canada.Under your leadership, the prospects for this program within the near future are very slim. You have alienated most of the people who would have worked on it. I imagine all of the incredible research that could have been undertaken. This is one of the intangible loses from the last 18 months.
Your power and influence over the university needs to be challenged. You cannot expect to disrupt so many lives and not be questioned. We need to go back to the original vision that my grandfather and grandmother, along with many others, had of the school. I hope someday to return when things have changed and when the school values the idealism and passion that guided people like my grandparents.
Remember that what I am saying is what many people are thinking: many of them do not publicly say it because they have families to feed and are worried for their jobs. I teach at another institution now and can speak freely.