First Nations University partners with the Saskatchewan government to continue operating
Saskatchewan government puts up money for aboriginal university in new agreement
March 23, 2010 - Jennifer Graham, THE CANADIAN PRESS
REGINA - An agreement has been reached that's being called "a blueprint" that could save the embattled First Nations University of Canada.
The four-year deal between the Saskatchewan government, First Nations University, the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations and the University of Regina lays outs a plan to reorganize operations at the aboriginal school.
"We know there's more work to do, but this is an optimistic step," said Rob Norris, minister of Advanced Education.
"Certainly we think it's going to provide greater certainty for students and greater accountability for taxpayers. It's going to serve as a blueprint as we move forward."
The deal will see $5.2 million from the Saskatchewan government flow for First Nations University as certain conditions are met.
Norris says the money will go to an accounting firm in the first year of the deal. After that, it will flow through the University of Regina, which will provide oversight and management for the administrative and finances at First Nations University.
One of the conditions is that the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, which oversees First Nations University, restructure the school's board of governors and appoint a new board by July 1.
Last month, the Saskatchewan government cut funding to the country's only aboriginal university over allegations of financial mismanagement and problems with how the school was run.
Ottawa followed suit and said it wouldn't renew about $7.2 million in funding to the institution which has been under a cloud virtually since it opened in 2003.
Recommended governance changes were never made and enrolment has dwindled to less than 700 registered students.
The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, which oversees the university, recently replaced the school's board of governors and put senior administrative staff on leave.
Federation chief Guy Lonechild said Tuesday that the agreement is "concrete evidence" of the group's commitment to make change.
"We are doing precisely what we indicated we would accomplish. That is, we are making continued, significant progress toward effective governance and a strong First Nations University," Lonechild said in a news release.
"It is now crucially important that the federal government show its commitment to the future of our students," Lonechild added.
Federal Indian Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl has said that the decision to stop the funding came after years of effort to fix the governance problems. Strahl suggested in question period Tuesday that federal funding for First Nations University remains off the table.
"Problems still continue there and there is more work to be done," Strahl told the House of Commons.
Teachers, students and aboriginal leaders have said that while they may be able to keep the school's doors open for the rest of the academic year, their main concern is whether students will be able to return in the fall. They've said that would depend on federal and provincial funding.
Norris said he'll urge the federal government to invest in the new partnership.
"Are there conditions that have to be met and still challenges and work? Yes, certainly. All of those things. But there's a blueprint here and that's certainly for us, it's an encouraging sign," said Norris.