FNUC has turned the corner

From a letter by Gary Merasty in the StarPhoenix of March 25, 2010.

However, the value of this institution for both Saskatchewan and Canada is unquestionable. For more than 30 years, we have been the proud provincial host to the only indigenous university in Canada, an institution that has generated thousands of graduates — non-First Nation and First Nation — who’ve gone on to contribute to the economic growth of the province and country.

Establishing FNUC was not an easy process. It was created through the dedication and hard work of many First Nations and non-First Nations people who recognized that Saskatchewan long has been a place of indigenous innovation, creativity and achievement.

It’s my hope that government and leadership ultimately do not blindly walk away from this institution. That would be a monumental mistake.

Read the full letter in the StarPhoenix.

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Letter #67: Department of Native Studies, University of Saskatchewan

March 27, 2010

Dear Mr. Strahl and Mr. Harper,

On behalf of the Department of Native Studies at the University of Saskatchewan, I express our unease of the possibility that the Government of Canada will cease to fund the First Nations University of Canada as of April 1, 2010. The department urges the Government of Canada to reconsider this decision and continue to fund First Nations University.

The department understands the concerns the government has had about the governance issues surrounding the university. There is no doubt that the concerns are legitimate. If the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations and the university were unwilling or unable to deal with the situation then the government’s decision to end funding would be more justified. However, the FSIN has shown remarkable leadership in dealing directly and relatively swiftly with the situation. Replacing the old Board of Governors with an Interim Board, dismissing the president and vice-president, and arranging an financial management agreement between the University of Regina and First Nations University, among other moves, are clear indications that the FSIN and First Nations University are dealing with the situation and makes the decision of the government difficult to understand.

The Department of Native Studies worries that the decision to terminate funding to the First Nations University will have a negative impact on the students, staff, and faculty and therefore on the province. There are excellent faculty members employed by the university. A significant number of the faculty are Aboriginal. Since 2005, many Aboriginal faculty members have left the university, and the province of Saskatchewan, due to the turmoil it has faced. Though the turmoil was due to internal factors, the department feels that the government’s decision to end funding will cause a significant number of the remaining faculty members to leave the province. The Department of Native Studies views any loss of Aboriginal faculty members from a province with such a large Aboriginal population as unacceptable and irresponsible.

The Government of Saskatchewan also had similar misgivings as the Government of Canada of First Nations University and had announced that it would not directly fund the university. However, Premier Wall and Minister Norris have recognized the efforts the FSIN and have restored funding through the University of Regina. The Department of Native Studies would like to see the federal government adopt a similar position.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Yours sincerely,

Robert Alexander Innes, Ph.D.
Acting Head
Department of Native Studies
University of Saskatchewan

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Letter #66: Clem Marshall

Dear Honourable Stephen Harper, Honourable Chuck Strahl, Honourable Ministers and Premiers and Honourable Members of Parliament,

As an educator and a Canadian of African ancestry, I am dismayed by the decision of the responsible authorities to deprive the First Peoples of this land of such a precious, hard-won and needed institution as First Nations University. I am of course acutely aware of the part that education has played and continues to play in providing opportunities for redress of historical wrongs for both our groups.

The closure of First Nations University is particularly disturbing and disappointing since it reverses recent trends in which your government and other bodies have apologized for past crime or injury against Aboriginal populations and taken initiatives aimed at reconciliation, restitution and social repair.

Those of us who are survivors of African ancestors taken from their land feel a deep bond to the survivors of the First Nations whose land was taken from them. Because we know how we still bleed from the historical wounds of such violent separations, we understand the deep breach of trust in humanity itself that continues to infect the life of First Nations communities, with visibly disastrous results.

None of us, in government or as citizens, can escape the call of history, which has shaped the moment we now live in unique ways. May I humbly urge all members of government and parliament, as our representatives, to treat the trust vested in you as sacred. May I humbly urge you to commit to finding creative solutions that can protect First Nations University for the communities it serves, now and in the future, knowing that in so doing you will also be securing the integrity of our own humanity as a Canadian nation.

Sincerely,
Clem Marshall

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Letter #65: Peter Sköld of the Centre for Sami Research, Sweden

March 25, 2010

The Honourable Chuck Strahl, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs
Canada
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6

Dear Mr Chuck Strahl,

On behalf of the Centre for Sami Research (CeSam), Umeå University, SWEDEN, I am writing to express our concern regarding the First Nations University of Canada.

Through our colleagues and partners at the First Nations University it has come to our attention that Canada’s Federal Government has announced to cut the annual grant to the University, which in reality means that it will close.

To end funding to the only university that directly serves Canada’s First Nations communities seems to be inconsistent with internationally recognized obligations with respect to the rights of indigenous peoples. As a collaborator to the First Nations University on indigenous issues, it concerns, not only the aboriginals in Canada, but all indigenous peoples in the world, including the Sami peoples of Scandinavia. From what we have gathered from CAUT the governance problems at First Nations University have now been addressed. We therefore wish to express our support to CAUT’s appeal for the First Nations University of Canada.

Yours sincerely,
Centre for Sami Research

Peter Sköld
Director

Copy to:
David Robinson
Associate executive director
Canadian Association of University Teachers

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Letter #64: National Tertiary Education Union of Australia

Ref: 60/25/12

25 March 2010

To the Honourable Chuck Strahl, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6
Fax +6139449376

Email: StrahC@parl.gc.ca

Dear Sir,

I am writing on behalf of the National Tertiary Education Union of Australia to ask you to assist in the urgent matter of the First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv). I have had the privilege of being a recipient of a research fellowship from the Canadian Government focusing on a comparative study of housing standards as between Indigenous or First Nations communities and those of Non-Indigenous communities. As part of my fellowship in 1993-94 I visited a number of communities and spoke with many Indigenous leaders and communities. In my research work, I also worked directly with Indigenous scholars, many of whom had had their education in the First Nations University. For many of us at the time, this institution was a beacon for Indigenous education. It is important that it does survive to continue advancing Indigenous self determination.

FNUniv, Canada’s only university for Aboriginal people, has been plagued by serious governance problems in recent years. After five years of pressure and ultimately censure by CAUT, the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (the body that created the FNUniv) voted to reform the inappropriate governance structure of the University. The FSIN dissolved the Board of Governors, suspended the President and the Vice-President Administration, and appointed an interim board.

Three days after the FSIN finally took decisive action to remedy the longstanding problems at FNUC, Canada’s Federal Government announced it was cutting its $7.2 million annual grant to the University as of March 31, 2010. This will mean the end of FNUniv. We were astounded that the Federal Government, not having made any comment about the serious problems at FNUniv for five years, cut off funding after the problems were resolved.

The future of FNUniv, its students and staff is in doubt because of the Federal Government’s misguided decision. Canada’s First Nations communities are about to lose their only university. FNUniv is a unique institution in so far as it is a university that directly serves the First Nations people, and upholds the culture and traditions of the many communities across Canada. The Canadian government’s decision to end funding is inconsistent with internationally recognized obligations with respect to the rights of Indigenous peoples.

Our organisation will be informing our members and the broader academic community of the Canadian’s government lack of commitment to higher education for one of Canada’s most vulnerable and underprivileged communities.

Yours sincerely,

Dr Carolyn Allport
NTEU National President

cc David Robinson:robinson@caut.ca

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Letter #63: Irish Federation of University Teachers

25 March 2010
Our Ref: 7.66.B

The Honourable Chuck Strahl P.C. M.P.
Minister for Indian & Northern Affairs Canada,
House of Commons,
Ottrawa, Ontario,
K1A 0A6,
Canada.

Dear Minister Strahl,

FIRST NATIONS UNIVERSITY OF CANADA

On behalf of the Irish Federation of University Teachers which is the main union representing academic and research staff in higher education in Ireland, I am writing to express our amazement at your Government’s decision to cut its annual grant to the First Nations University of Canada with effect from 31 March 2010. We understand that this decision will effectively mean the end of FNUniv.

It is a source of astonishment to us that your Government should decide to cut the funding for this university now at the very time when the very difficult governance problems are finally resolved after several years of difficulty and conflict.

FNUniv is a truly unique and remarkable institution. It is the only university that directly serves Canada’s First Nations communities and which reflects First Nations’ culture and tradition as part of its core mission. As such, your Government’s decision to end this university’s funding is inconsistent with internationally recognized obligations with respect to the rights of indigenous peoples.

As I have said earlier, my members cannot understand how you have taken this decision now at the very time when the problems have been solved despite the fact that you failed to take any action in the years when the problems were extant.

The members of the Irish Federation of University Teachers will be following this issue very closely and we earnestly request your Government to reverse your decision to cut the funding for this university.

Yours sincerely,

Mike Jennings,
General Secretary.

c. David Robinson, CAUT

His Excellency Patrick Binns, Canadian Embassy,
7-8 Wilton Terrace, Dublin 2.

IFUT Executive

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Letter #62: University and College Union (United Kingdom)

The Honourable Chuck Strahl, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6

Fax: + 1 613 944 9376

Dear Mr Strahl

I am writing on behalf of my union representing 120,000 academic and academic related staff in universities and colleges in the United Kingdom. We understand that after a lengthy period of uncertainty, the First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv) has begun to resolve its internal difficulties, particularly in reconstructing its system of governance, but the this process is now facing jeopardy as a result of the precipitate withdrawal of Federal funding, which has put the whole future of FNUniv in doubt. We are astonished that the Federal Government announced it was cutting its $7.2-million annual grant to the University as of March 31, 2010, apparently with no prior warning and without taking account of the positive changes made at the University.

FNUniv is a unique institution, the only university that directly serves Canada’s First Nations’ communities, and that reflects First Nations’ culture and traditions as its mission. The government of Canada’s decision to end funding is inconsistent with internationally recognized obligations with respect to the rights of indigenous peoples.

We strongly support the calls made by the student body and in the Canadian Parliament for the federal government to restore funding consistent with its treaty obligations with First Nations peoples. We understand that the provincial government of Saskatchewan has just announced it has reached a deal with the university to restore its share of funding after fully accepting the reforms that have been made to the institution’s governance structure. Only the federal government refuses to move. Without federal funding, the university will be forced to close within the month, throwing staff out of work and forcing students to relocate or end their studies entirely.

We will be informing our members and the broader academic community of the government of Canada’s lack of commitment to higher education for one of Canada’s most vulnerable and underprivileged communities. Please reverse your unjustified decision, and restore funding to the First Nations University of Canada.

Yours sincerely

Paul Bennett
Senior National Official
University and College Union

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Letter #61: Michelle Biden

I am a non-Aboriginal graduate of the University of Regina and took many classes at the FNUniv. The classes at this institute were some of the most important courses I took during my education. These classes taught me of the history of colonization within Canada, discussed the current state of the health of Aboriginal people as it relates to a history of oppression and allowed me to connect with First Nations culture through ceremony and teachings from Elders. As a result of my connection and interest with what I was learning I was able to find a student employment opportunity at the FNUniv. This job allowed me a unique opportunity to learn and take part in First Nations culture, an opportunity I would not have had without this institution. I cannot overstate the impact this institution has had on my life.

My time at the FNUniv. has allowed me, as a non-Aboriginal person to start bridging the cultural gap that I see exists between First Nations and European-Canadians. My experience has moved beyond my life and has ultimately impacted my family and community and will continue with me through my working years, indirectly affecting many others. We need a place where people of all backgrounds can come and learn about Canada’s First Peoples from First Nations people. With the current disparities facing Aboriginal people, I know that we cannot move ahead without this important institution.

Sincerely,
Michelle Biden
Regina, Saskatchewan

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Letter #60: Paula du Hamel Yellow Horn

Dear All, I am writing to support the continuance of the First Nations University in Saskatchewan. It is integral to the healing and support of First Peoples in Canada that this university remains open. Please try to find a way to keep this university open, if this means replacing peoples within it for accounting measures, then please do this – its a simple matter really to make these amends as exampled continuously in federal and provincial accounting issues that incur problems regarding budgets. Revamping the financial structure of the university will solve these problems.

In the history of colonizing Native Peoples and losses of Native cultures as well as traumas incurred by generations from Indian Residential School, and in terms of the reclamation of Native cultures today, healing, and language revival, the First Nations university is providing a service that offers cultural healing and synthesis for Native Peoples within a modern world that supports Canada and the initial multicultural vision of this nation-state.

As Canadians that hold political offices or positions of power and who are proud to be Canadian, would you let the First Nations University ideology fail? Or will you embrace it and make it succeed, to show the true efforts of Canadians as human beings in the “true north, strong and free” that we promoted at the Olympics in Vancouver?

Kind regards, Dr. Paula du Hamel Yellow Horn.

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Letter #59: Margaret Hobbs of Trent via Georgina Taylor

From: Dr. Georgina Taylor, First Nations University of Canada

Because I have taught History at the Saskatoon Campus of the First Nations University for 12 years and I admire the students, the people who work at the University, and its program I have been very concerned about the threatened closure. Therefore on Monday, the 22nd of March I sent messages to my friends, my family, and various scholars across Canada asking them to view this video by the students at the First Nations University.

Right away I received several messages of support including the following message from Dr. Margaret Hobbs who teaches at Trent University in Ontario and is the former chair of the Women’s Studies Department. She has given me permission to send it along.

“Really excellent video. I just sent it on to our union, the Trent University Faculty Association (TUFA), along with a link to the FNUC blog site, asking that they send it to the membership. The TUFA has been forwarding links to news stories and it is encouraging faculty to write letters of protest.

I’ve been thinking about you, and of course the students and others who work at FNUC, since hearing this awful awful awful news. How much optimism is there for a reversal of the funding decision? You guys go down, and we ALL lose. A really bad move any way you slice it. I can only imagine the stress levels at FN right now …”

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