Supreme Court Refuses FNUC Academic Freedom Case

Supreme Court Refuses FNUC Academic Freedom Case

Friday, May 15, 2009 at 13:40

A cloud that was hanging over the First Nations University of Canada appears to have faded away.

FNUC president Charles Pratt says the Supreme Court has refused to hear the case of Blair Stonechild. A former instructor at the FNUC, Stonechild accused the school of violating his academic freedom.

Back in 2005, Stonechild had been scheduled to speak at a conference when the invitation was withdrawn.

The University of Regina Faculty Association filed a grievance on Stonechild’s behalf, citing violations in several different areas.

Pratt says he hopes the Supreme Court’s decision not to hear the case dispels any rumours that the FNUC has ever violated academic freedom.

He’s hopeful the news will help reverse a censure that has been placed over the school by the Canadian Association of University Teachers.