Mixed Reviews For FSIN’s FNUC Plan
Wednesday, May 31, 2006 at 14:57
A former chief is giving the “thumbs up” to news the First Nations University of Canada’s board of directors will soon be reduced.
Harry Cook, the former leader of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band, was one of the people who made up a task force assigned to recommend changes at the troubled institution.
Cook says he’s encouraged that the FSIN has accepted their suggestion that the board was simply too large.
He also says he doesn’t have any problems with chiefs and other politicians sitting on the board:
However, Cook hopes leaders at the school begin to institute other recommendations made by the task force.
Among them, Cook says he would like to see more community consultations made about the school’s direction, and a greater emphasis on elder participation.
Meanwhile, not everyone is impressed with the FSIN’s strategy regarding the FNUC.
Six chiefs voted against the resolution at yesterday’s sitting of the FSIN assembly, while five others abstained.
Chief Denton George of the Ochapowace First Nation says he doesn’t believe politicians should be calling the shots at the school.
George made his opinions known during debate at the assembly.
FSIN vice-chief Morley Watson responded by saying it was the bands themselves who had appointed chiefs to deal with the school when it was initially created.
Watson also said individuals should consider the history of how First Nations people govern themselves before criticizing.