The Dominion - Garson Hunter

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Tim McSorley — Mon, 17 May 2010 03:26:09 +0000

Students rally against budget cuts to the First Nations University of Canada. Federal funding cuts to the FNUC are just part of what some see as widespread de-funding of Aboriginal services by the Canadian government.

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Moira Peters — Sat, 01 May 2010 20:18:31 +0000

FNUC is the only First Nations university in Canada. If Harper’s government gets its way, by August 31 there will be no such university in Canada. Lay-offs have already begun at FNUC, and by the end of summer the university will have lost what the AUCC states is the largest concentration of Aboriginal faculty in one institution in the world. If the decision is reversed and funding is returned, Saskatchewan Indian Nations will have lost most governance of the university and will have all its finances overseen by UofR administrators. Whatever the final outcome of the funding situation, colonialism has reasserted its power and control over Aboriginal education.

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Moira Peters — Sat, 01 May 2010 20:16:35 +0000

The FNUC Student Association hosted a rally March 23. They announced they would be occupying immediately the university's main campus building as well as the respective campus buildings in Saskatoon and Prince Albert in what they call “Protecting the Home of Treaty Education: First Nations University of Canada Live-In.” Rules of conduct were established by university Elders: students are to attend all classes and are not to disrupt Indian Affairs or other university business. Students and supporters have been in the buildings 24 hours a day since their announcement.

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Moira Peters — Sat, 01 May 2010 20:09:48 +0000

Banners hanging inside the university: one banner depicting a buffalo labelled “FNUC” being fired upon from an Indian Affairs vehicle. For many First Nations Peoples, education is referred to as the “new buffalo.” Even the quasi-colonial memorandum of understanding between the Indian Nations and the UofR has not been enough for the federal government and Minister Strahl. The federal government says it will restore only $3 million of its annual $7.2 million in funding to FNUC with the expectation that this funding be used to wind down operations, with FNUC ceasing to exist by the end of the summer.

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Moira Peters — Sat, 01 May 2010 20:08:31 +0000

Stories told late at night in the tipi. Recently elected FSIN Chief Guy Lonechild surprised everyone when he persuaded the Chiefs of Saskatchewan Indian Nations to disband the First Nations University board. Lonechild’s proposal put the administration of FNUC into a partnered administrative structure with the UofR for a period of four years under a memorandum of understanding that will see the FNUIC funding controlled by UofR. The provincial government restored its $5.2 million in funding for FNUC the third week in March.

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Moira Peters — Sat, 01 May 2010 20:07:15 +0000

A Round Dance held during the UofR faculty sleep-over in support of the Live-In.

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Moira Peters — Sat, 01 May 2010 20:05:56 +0000

Some prefer to sleep outside the university building in tipis. Research on funding for four universities in Canada (Universities of Toronto Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta) indicates that FNUC only receives 64 per cent of the resources received by the other universities. Construction of the main building was only made possible through long term leasing of half the building to INAC. Aboriginal peoples receive much less funding resources for higher education than the settler population.

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Moira Peters — Sat, 01 May 2010 20:04:14 +0000

Not unaccustomed to the “cunning of the white man,” the FNUC Student Association and their supporters presented a letter October 1, 2009, to an Indian and Northern Affairs (INAC) official to deliver to federal INAC Minister Chuck Strahl. The letter was a response to INAC’s proposal to eliminate the Post Secondary Student Support Program (PSSSP) component of its Post-Secondary Education Program (PSEP), which funds First Nations and Inuit students. This decision would require First Nations and Inuit students to access provincial student loans. Education is considered by First Nations and Inuit Peoples as a Treaty right in exchange for land shared with settler people. The federal government argues the educational benefits it provides are a social program and not a Treaty entitlement.

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Moira Peters — Sat, 01 May 2010 20:02:45 +0000

Recognized as a university by the Saskatchewan Government, FNUC is a federated college of UofR, and its degrees are recognized as UofR degrees. The First Nations University was an initiative of Saskatchewan First Nations elders and leaders who wanted a post secondary institution that would mirror their philosophies, languages, history and concepts of government. Students of all ancestral ethnicity are allowed and encouraged to attend FNUC.

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Moira Peters — Sat, 01 May 2010 20:01:05 +0000

Suggestive of an eagle in flight, the First Nations University of Canada building was designed by architect Douglas Cardinal, whose work reflects his Metis and Blackfoot heritage. The building officially opened in 2003. The property is located within Wascana Centre Authority and owned by First Nations University of Canada Inc. Under its Saskatchewan Treaty Land Entitlement Agreement with the federal and provincial governments, Star Blanket Cree Nation is seeking reserve status for the 32.5 acres of land. The main campus is in Regina, located within the Treaty Four area, on Cree-Saulteaux land. There are also FNUC campuses in Saskatoon and Prince Albert.