Saskatchewan won't restore funding to First Nations University: premier

REGINA - Despite the dissolution of the First Nations University of Canada board, the Saskatchewan government will not immediately restore $5.2 million in funding it withdrew this week from the beleaguered school, Premier Brad Wall said Friday.

The premier told a news conference there are other options for First Nations education spending, including the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technology and the province's two universities.

``There will be the opportunity for other institutions to more than make up what they may need to take in light of decisions that might be made around the First Nations University,'' said Wall.

``Whatever happens, you'll see this government biased towards funding going towards education. We've been very patient in terms in the amount of investment that happened with respect to the administration at First Nations University. That chapter on that model has closed.''

On Thursday, the chiefs of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations voted to dissolve the university's board and placed senior management on administrative leave.

The decision came one day after the provincial government pulled millions of dollars in funding, and on the same day the federal government was discussing its future funding plans for the school.

The resolution says the interim board's first order of business would be to ``place the current senior administration of (FNUC) on administrative leave'' pending the results of an audit.

The audit is looking into allegations raised in court documents by the university's former chief financial officer, Murray Westerlund, who is suing for wrongful dismissal. The documents allege inappropriate spending and payment to various board and administrative officials.

Money for post-secondary education is ``precious'' for any institution, said Wall.

``In this upcoming budget year, (funding will) be more so because of the tougher budget we can look forward to,'' said Wall.

``(The province) will make sure investments we make in post-secondary education, especially for First Nations and Metis people of the province, are spent on training and education.''

Saskatoon StarPhoenix