First Nations University of Canada

Infobox University
name = First Nations University of Canada
native_name =
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motto =
established = 1976 Saskatchewan Indian Federated College (1976-2003); First Nations University of Canada (2003-present)
type = University
endowment =
staff =
faculty =
president = Charles Pratt
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students =
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postgrad =
doctoral =
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city = Regina
state = Saskatchewan
country = Canada
campus = Regina Campus (Regina)
Saskatoon Campus (Saskatoon)
North Campus (Prince Albert)
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affiliations = AUCC
footnotes =
website = [http://www.firstnationsuniversity.ca www.firstnationsuniversity.ca]
address =1 First Nations Way
Regina SK, S4S 7K2
Canada
telephone =[phone]
coor =
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The First Nations University of Canada (formerly Saskatchewan Indian Federated College) is a university in Saskatchewan, Canada with campuses in Regina, Saskatoon, and Prince Albert. The Regina campus building was designed by architect Douglas Cardinal.

History

Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex opened the university in 2003. It was host to another royal visitor when Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, made it her first engagement during the centennial celebrations of Saskatchewan and Alberta in 2005.

Star Blanket Cree Nation is supporting a plan to declare the institution's property an Urban Indian reserve under a Saskatchewan Treaty Land Entitlement Agreement involving Star Blanket, the provincial and federal governments. Band members of the Star Blanket Nation unanimously voted in favour of this plan during a 2008 referendum. [cite news | url=http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2008/17/c9836.html | accessdate=2008-05-17 | title=100 per cent Vote in Favour of Urban Reserve Proposal | date=17 May 2008 | publisher=CNW Group | author=First Nations University of Canada]

Partnerships

The Saskatchewan Indian Federated College was affiliated with the University of Regina. It was founded in 1976 by an agreement between the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations and the University of Regina, with the stated intent of serving "the academic, cultural and spiritual needs of First Nations' students". [ [http://www.sasknetwork.gov.sk.ca/html/Learners/educationtraining/federatedcolleges.htm SaskNetWork - Federated Colleges ] ]

Aboriginal

First Nations University of Canada designed special programs in partnership with Aboriginal communities to meet the human resource needs of Aboriginal communities in areas such as health, education and the environment, for example its National School of Dental Therapy, Nursing and Health Studies programs. The First Nations University of Canada provides special first-year bridging programs for Aboriginal students. Aboriginal Elders are present on campus at First Nations University to provide social supports. First Nations University offers a comprehensive career services program to assist with the transition to a fulfilling career. [ [http://www.uwinnipeg.ca/index/cms-filesystem-action?file=pdfs/conferences/2007/aboriginal-rt-spring-report.pdf. The University of Winnipeg ] ]

Controversies

In May 2007, the university was put on probation by the AUCC, following a controversy in February 2005, in which the university fired a number of staff members. The association demanded the university establish full independence from the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations within a year. [ [http://chronicle.com/weekly/v53/i35/35a04703.htm The Chronicle of Higher Education, May 4th, 2007] ] The university complied with the AUCC directives, and was reinstated in April 2008.cite web
last =
first =
authorlink =
coauthors =
title = First Nations University back in AUCC's good books
work =
publisher = CBC News
date = 2008-04-02
url = http://www.cbc.ca/canada/saskatchewan/story/2008/04/02/fnuc-aucc.html
format =
doi =
accessdate = 2008-04-03]

Two former employees of the institution have been charged with defrauding the university; as of October 2008, both matters are still before the courts.

In October 2008, the government of Saskatchewan gave the university $1.6 million to relieve a chronic budget deficit. The money was given to cover salaries of faculty and operating expenses. Another $400,000 will be spent on a review of the university's long-term operations. [cite web
last =
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authorlink =
coauthors =
title = Bailout helps First Nations University with 'acute financial situation'
work =
publisher = CBC News
date = 2008-10-07
url = http://www.cbc.ca/canada/saskatchewan/story/2008/10/07/fnuc-money.html
format =
doi =
accessdate = 2008-10-08] [cite web
last =
first =
authorlink =
coauthors =
title = Struggling First Nations University gets $1.6M from Saskatchewan government
work =
publisher = Canadian Press
date = 2008-10-07
url = http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5h3aE8vYLHw71obzpH542mCWPqr_w
format =
doi =
accessdate = 2008-10-08]

ee also

*Monarchy in Saskatchewan
*First Nations University Students' Association
*Higher education in Saskatchewan

References

All facts, unless otherwise stated, are from First Nations University of Canada's web site.

External links

* [http://www.firstnationsuniversity.ca/ Official site]
* [http://www.sicc.sk.ca/saskindian/a01fal03.htm Significance of Treaties Reaffirmed Through Historic Royal Visit (2001)]
* [http://www.ammsa.com/sage/topnews-July-2003.html#anchor12833121 Award Winner Receives Royal Treatment (2003)]
* [http://www.aucc.ca/can_uni/our_universities/first_nations_e.html First Nations University of Canada]