Rallies Scheduled To Protest FNUC Funding Cuts
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 13:03
First Nations University of Canada students and supporters are holding rallies tomorrow that will take place simultaneously in Regina and Saskatoon to pressure the provincial government to reinstate the school’s funding.
Rallies are scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m. at the Legislative Building in Regina and the Saskatoon office of Advanced Education Minister Rob Norris.
Liberal MP Ralph Goodale is weighing in on the federal government’s decision to stop funding the FNUC.
Goodale says it is premature for Indian Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl to “wash his hands and say ‘too bad, so sad, down the drain’.”
Goodale says Strahl still has time to meet with all parties involved face-to-face.
He also says that the financial issues revealed should be fixed properly and once and for all, but adds that he sees that FSIN Chief Guy Lonechild is following through with that.
Meanwhile, the former chief of the Waterhen Lake First Nation says he will do his best to help the First Nations University of Canada.
Sid Fiddler was one of the people named yesterday to the new board of governors at the FNUC.
A former FNUC board member in the past, Fiddler carries a long background in the field of education, as well as social policy.
Fiddler says he plans to sit down with the other members this week to discuss the situation at the school.
He feels the school differs from mainstream universities because of the way it incorporates healing strategies into its curriculum.
He worries the government doesn’t value these traits — believing the only way Aboriginal people will get ahead is if they embrace Canadian values and methods.
Fiddler says he likes the fact the new board doesn’t have any current sitting chiefs on it.
He believes this non-political approach is the way of the future — and thinks that all First Nations institutions in the province are now contemplating using experienced professionals to sit on boards instead of chiefs.
Fiddler says chiefs often have their hands full managing affairs on their own First Nation, without having to worry about other institutions.