Sask. pulls funding from troubled First Nations University

WHITECAP DAKOTA FIRST NATION, Sask. — The Saskatchewan Party government is withdrawing $5.2 million in funding from the troubled First Nations University of Canada (FNUC), officials announced Wednesday.

Advanced Education, Employment and Labour Minister Rob Norris said the decision to pull back funding will be effective April 1.

"Our government has lost confidence in the governance and management of First Nations University," Norris said. "It is our duty as government to protect our province's students and taxpayers.

"Sadly, it has become clear that we can no longer protect their interests by continuing to support First Nations University."

The government will begin working immediately with the University of Regina and University of Saskatchewan to determine the best way to support students already enrolled at FNUC through to Aug. 31, 2010.

Questions about FNUC's financial impropriety arose after a lawsuit filed by the former chief financial officer of the university, Murray Westerlund, alleged he was fired for presenting documents to FNUC's audit committee outlining alleged misuse of funds and inappropriate expense claims.

The government has also said it was concerned over a delayed report on governance at the institution. The university has faced repeated calls since 2004 for a smaller, less political board of governors.

Norris also announced Wednesday the creation of student support teams to be staffed by the two universities and ministry officials. The teams will begin work shortly, meeting with students in Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert to answer questions and help prepare for the coming academic year, Norris added.

"This is a regrettable, but necessary decision," he said. "It is time for politicians to step back and the academic leadership to step forward . . . Supporting the students of First Nations University is our first priority."

Norris also thanked First Nations University students for their commitment. "I applaud (the) students for their courage, dedication and leadership on this issue."

FNUC students have been in closed-doors meetings since Wednesday morning with the members of oversight body, the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations.

FSIN Chief Guy Lonechild covered a wide range of topics during his early-morning address — which took place at the Dakota Dunes Casino, just south of Saskatoon, on the Whitecap Dakota First Nation — from natural resources to justice, but spent most of his time imploring the chiefs to listen to the students' concerns.

"This is a new era," Lonechild said. "It's time to hear the voices of the students."

Following his address, all observers — including media and government officials — were escorted out of the room before the students talked to the assembled chiefs in-camera.

A FNUC student association official said Tuesday the students will be calling for the FNUC board to be dissolved.