FNUC Schedules New Round Of Talks With INAC

Wednesday, November 07, 2007 at 14:24

 

 

Officials with the First Nations University of Canada are set to meet with the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs this week.

 

Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Vice-Chief Lyle Whitefish will sit down tomorrow with Deputy Indian Affairs Minister Neil Yates to talk about the school and its future.

 

Whitefish says the FNUC is working hard to improve its financial picture right now.

 

He notes business experts have been hired to help the school come up with a financial plan requested by Indian Affairs.

 

The department has said it needs to see that business plan before it approves $1 million in additional funding the FNUC says it needs to address a budget shortfall.

 

Whitefish says the FNUC has been operating over the past few years without money it planned to receive.

 

He says that has made things tough on the administration as is tries to keep the school in good stead with its regulatory body — the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada.

 

Whitefish insists the university is taking steps to meet criteria given to it by the AUCC.

 

The association has said the school must change its governance structure to make sure it stays accredited.

 

Whitefish says he’s confident those measures will be met.

 

He notes the school has until March 31st to make those changes.