Ben Schenstead
Assistant Professor, Department of Indigenous Education
I am in my third year of serving as a faculty member in the Department of Indigenous Education. In addition to teaching education courses, I also am the field coordinator and arrange placements for our students in public, separate, and band schools. I also am involved with field supervision, and in visiting schools to coach students during their teaching practicums. I enjoy my work greatly, and it gives me great satisfaction to see our students grow in teaching skills and knowledge, receive their diplomas and teaching certificates, and become professional teachers with their own classrooms.
The FNUniv Indigenous Education Department has many graduates who are currently teaching in schools not only in Regina where the main campus is located, but in communities and band schools throughout Saskatchewan. A number of our students are currently placed in practicums with former graduates who are now teachers within the Regina school system. Our students benefit from having experienced mentors who are familiar with our programs having went through FNUniv themselves, and who are able to share their expertise with our students. Graduates of our program are teaching in both elementary and secondary schools in Regina, including Balfour Collegiate, Thom Collegiate, École Connaught School, and at W. F. Ready Elementary School. Some of our graduates are now principals and administrators. Similarly, our Northern Campus TEP located in Prince Albert also has many graduates who are now supporting our programs by mentoring student teachers and by teaching in many communities throughout the north.
It is important for parents with school-age children to realize that FNUniv-trained teachers may be found in any number of schools in Regina and area, as well as communities throughout Saskatchewan, and that children from any neighbourhood or cultural background may have one of our graduates as their teacher. Our teachers and teachers-in-training have and will continue to contribute significantly to the education of young people whatever their ancestry. People in Saskatchewan also need to realize that the fast-rising Native population requires teachers who are knowledgeable about First Nations culture, and our graduates are especially well-trained in this area.
The FNUniv Teacher Education Program and its faculty is well-respected across Canada and beyond and is a leader in Indigenous methadologies (see the FNUniv blog at fnuniv.wordpress.com for information for reasons to fund FNUniv). While there are other TEPs in Saskatchewan, none can match FNUniv’s for its supportive and culturally affirming educational environment, and unique courses.
The Indigenous Education department is only one of many valuable departments at First Nations University. If FNUniv closes due to lack of funds, this will mean a tragic loss for Regina, for Saskatchewan, and Canada. The real cost of pulling funding will last for generations and far outweigh the few dollars that may be saved in the short term.
First Nations University has taken all the steps required to make it more open, transparent and accountable. The U of R will be overseeing the financial administration. The administrative difficulties and also been addressed, including depoliticizing and downsizing its board of governors, dismissing the President and VP of Finance, and appointing a new interim Chair and board members.
If the federal government continues to withhold funding now that the above changes have been made, it will, in effect, become an agent of complicity in bringing about the demise of FNUniv. The federal government has the opportunity now to reverse this tragic series of events by restoring full funding to FNUniv. This will go a long way to rebuilding positive relationships not only with First Nations across Canada, but all persons concerned about fairness and access to education. Instead of pulling funding, the government should commit to solid long-term funding to FNUniv so that this unique and important institution can fulfill its unique and powerful destiny for all people in Canada.
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