Fate of FNUC In Hands Of New Working Group
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 at 13:13
A working group that will be struck to develop a new partnership between the First Nations University of Canada and the University of Regina will be holding its first meeting tomorrow.
The decision to establish the working group was announced last night following a meeting involving FSIN Chief Guy Lonechild, Advanced Education Minister Rob Norris and U of R president Vianne Timmons.
Norris says no provincial funds will flow to the FNUC until the working group addresses issues of accountability.
Timmons says the immediate concern is to bring stability to the situation and to “look at some healing, immediately, for faculty, staff and students”.
Responding to a question regarding control of the FNUC, FSIN Chief Guy Lonechild said control is in the hands of the Creator.
Lonechild said no one is ever really in control, and that “students take that risk” when taking post-secondary education.
All parties agree that time is of the essence, since provincial and federal funding ends on March 31st.
More details about the working group are expected to be released today.
Meanwhile, the FNUC has some new, but temporary, leadership.
Del Anaquod is the new interim Chief Operating Officer.
During a meeting yesterday with U of R officials, faculty and students expressed concerns of the FNUC being “swallowed up” by the U of R.
Anaquod says the proposed relationship is not of third party management, but a chance to bring the FNUC “back on the governance footings” that it should be on.
Dr. Bob Kayseas is Anaquod’s new assistant.
Shannon Avison, the program head for Indian Communication Arts, is assisting the current communications officer with strategic planning.
Dr. Herman Michell is continuing on in his position as vice-president of academics.
The interim positions end on March 31st.
Six members of the previous executive, including president Charles Pratt and vice-president Al Ducharme, were put on administrative leave with pay after allegations surfaced of the misappropriation of funds at the school.