Sask. chiefs vote to dissolve board of troubled First Nation University

WHITECAP DAKOTA FIRST NATION, Sask. — The board of First Nations University of Canada has been dissolved following a vote by Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations inside a closed-door assembly Thursday afternoon.

According to a high-ranking source inside the meeting, 46 chiefs voted in favour of dissolving the board, a step First Nations University students had demanded in a speech to the assembly Wednesday.

There were no votes against the resolution, with eight abstentions.

The move comes in the wake of Wednesday's announcement by the Saskatchewan government that it is suspending $5.2 million in provincial funding for the troubled institution.

Federal Indian Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl also said Wednesday he plans to "re-examine" funding the university if the Saskatchewan government goes through with its vow to pull funding.

"We've already taken some steps. This is a long-standing issue with some systemic problems," Strahl said in a telephone interview Wednesday.

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada is already withholding more than $1 million from FNUC as it continues to be late on filing key progress reports.

Strahl said the recent criticisms against First Nations University, which has stalled on governance reform and now faces allegations of inappropriate spending levelled by a former chief financial officer, "are legitimate."

Saskatchewan First Nations and Metis Relations Minister Bill Hutchinson was roasted Thursday by assembly delegates over the decision to pull funding.

"If you can't help fund or assist us, give us back our resources and we'll pay our way," said Chief Roy Cheecham of the Clearwater River Dene Nation.

Hutchinson said Advanced Education Minister Rob Norris consulted him on the matter, and the cabinet made the decision together. He said the priority was on the students, and the province felt it could not wait any longer after two years of delays.

Onion Lake First Nation Chief Wallace Fox said the province didn't have the right to cut those funds, as they are federal transfers to the province intended for First Nation education.

"That is our money," Fox said. "We're going to still fund (the university) ourselves. We're not going to lay down."