Province Prepared To Restore Funds To FNUC
Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 12:31
A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed that will see $5.2 million in provincial funding restored to the First Nations University of Canada as conditions are met.
The MOU — signed by the FNUC, the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, the University of Regina and the provincial government — details the reorganization and future operation of the FNUC for the next four years.
Funds would flow to a national accounting firm in year one, and to the University of Regina in following years.
The MOU outlines the basis for legal agreements to be completed by May 1st.
Advanced Education Minister Rob Norris says “this agreement also allows me to begin lobbying aggressively for the federal government to follow the provincial lead and invest in this partnership, an effort that begins this afternoon”.
In a statement released this afternoon, Indian Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl states: “I am pleased with the immediate measures that the province and partner post-secondary institutions are taking . . . I will also continue to keep in close contact with provincial Minister Rob Norris through this transition. My departmental officials are working with their provincial counterparts, the University of Regina and other stakeholders to find practical solutions that will help students and faculty in the weeks ahead.”
However, Strahl makes no mention of restoring federal funds to the FNUC.
Meanwhile, students and their families started moving into FNUC campuses across the province this afternoon.
Students’ association rep Cadmus Delorme says even with today’s developments, they will stay as long as it takes to get all government funding to the university restored — even if it means they are there all summer.
Delorme says they will live by strict rules and still attend class.
The Student Association stresses this is not a lock-in or lock-down type of event.
The Regina campus is also home to Indian Affairs offices.
The students are asking for donations of camping supplies, cash and non-perishable food items.