Photo: Photo of: Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan the Honourable Bernadette McIntyre brought greetings on behalf of King Charles III
Photo by: Danielle Dufour
By: Danielle Dufour
May 27th is proclaimed the 50th anniversary of the First Nations University of Canada in Saskatachewan (FNUniv) among it’s four campuses.
“Culture connects them to their identity,” said Elder Margaret Rockthunder. “We’re keeping that language alive.”
President Dr. Jacqueline Ottmann reminisced about the dreams of the ancestors who had the courage to create a place grounded in language and worldviews, where students could be who they are and said, “Education is considered a value.”
FNUniv was originally called the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College (SIFC) and was founded in 1976 with an agreement with the University of Regina.
Ida Wasacase was the first leader of SIFC and served as President for five years.
Dr. Ottmann shared a story about the humble beginnings of the university, where Wasacase even used a gold brick she had personally invested in to help fund payroll for months.
“The vison our ancestors had, we are living the dream,” said Dr. Ottmann. “The university is a journey of becoming.”
FNUniv now serves over 6000 students annually and Dr. Ottmann said, “Students are the heartbeat of the institution; when you rise, we rise.”
Photo of: Alumni Ron Crowe / Photo by: Danielle Dufour
Ron Crowe, from Piapot First Nation, graduated in 1988 from the university with a degree in Indian Studies, now known as Indigenous studies, and political science with an interest in public policy.
“I have a deep attachment to the institution,” said Crowe. “Not only for myself, but family members.”
Crowe’s late mom was one of the Cree lectures at SIFC who started back in 1977.
Shortly after, both he and his brother graduated from the university.
His late father was also a chair of the board at one time.
Crowe is very proud that his children attended the university with one of his sons being a graduate of journalism.
“I see a bright future (for FNUniv),” said Crowe. “I think having an institution presence, will go a long way in ensuring it’s top of mind to people that are looking at choices of furthering their education. It’s a great community.”
Photo of: Taneesha Herbert / Photo by: Danielle Dufour
Taneesha Herbert, from the Cote First Nation, started her education journey in 2018 and is about to graduate this June from the FNUniv with a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in psychology.
“I dreamed of coming here as a child as it was being built, and so now to be an alumnus and be able to be a part of the path going forward for this institution, it’s an incredible feeling, it’s very humbling,” said Herbert.
Herbert has big goals to create a community-based cultural center that has a childcare center offering evening and weekend care so that parents can access education, social programs and work.
“That was a hard part of my life growing up,” said Herbert. “Having to take care of my younger sister while my single mother went to work in the night, so my passion came out of healing myself and finding myself through this institution and now I get to help others.”