FNUC-Board of Governors Communique
Thursday, 28 January 2010 00:00
January 28th, 2010
Dear FNUC-Board of Governors;
I have been requested to address a number of comments made at the FNUC Board level regarding the manner in which my office has communicated with respect to recent developments at the First Nations University of Canada and our mutual efforts in this regard. Please find the following details surrounding my activities on behalf of the FNUC to date. I have also included a history of the events in the FSIN Legislative Assembly surrounding the formation of the FNUC Interim Board of Governors.
Points for Clarification:
November 5, 2009
• Murray Westerlund requested a meeting with my office. Joining me in the meeting with Mr. Westerlund was Chief Cameron Watson. Mr. Westerlund disclosed to us a series of alleged irregularities pertaining to expenditures and vacation pay outs. After listening to Mr. Westerlund I suggested that he follow the appropriate process and report his concerns to the FNUC Audit Committee. I understand that Mr. Westerlund drafted a memorandum dated November 17, 2010 which he later presented to the FNUC Audit Committee.
There appears to be an air of miscommunication between my office and Board Chair, Chief Clarence Bellegarde. On several occasions I have met with Chief Bellegarde to discuss the issues at FNUC. As recently as January 20, 2010 he and I attended a meeting with INAC Regional Director General Riel Bellegarde. At this meeting we agreed that the FNUC, INAC and FSIN would work together to ensure that the funding to FNUC was not jeopardized.
Since I was elected to office, and subsequently took the portfolio for FNUC, I have engaged in a fact-finding process to properly assess and ensure that the Chiefs in Assembly have been apprised with accurate and transparent information. It is my goal to enable the Chiefs to move forward on this issue with all of the information they need to act in the best interests of students at FNUC and the First Nations of Saskatchewan.
In this regard I have met with the FNUC Board of Governors and the Chair on December 2nd, 2009. At this meeting we discussed Mr. Westerlund’s concerns outlined in the memo that he submitted to the Audit Committee. At this time the Chair requested that we delay any action until the Audit Committee could form a response on this matter. It is my understanding that the FNUC Audit Committee did consider this matter.
I again met with the Chair on January 7th, 2010 along with Tribal Chair Edmund Bellegarde. At the request of Chief Clarence Bellegarde no written notes were taken at this meeting.
During the past several weeks I have met with several stakeholders including the FNUC Student’s Association, the Province of Saskatchewan, INAC, and the University of Regina and on January 8th, 2010 held a teleconference with Dr. Manley Begay where we discussed his perspectives for the potential governance structures of the FNUC.
January 11, 2010
• At the request of Dr. Vianne Timmons, President of the University of Regina, we met in order to hear her concerns regarding FNUC. In addition to voicing her concerns, she underscored her administrative and ethical responsibility to all students at the University of Regina and the First Nations University of Canada.
January 20, 2010
• Premier Brad Wall and I met at his office to conduct our initial meeting after my election as Chief of the FSIN. Even though we both had several unrelated agenda items to discuss, the first comment made by the Premier was his concern for the stability of FNUC. He said his government is anxious that FNUC is not providing a positive return for the investment dollars paid to FNUC from the province.
Media Communication:
My communications with the media on FNUC issues are limited to only two instances. On December 5th, 2009 I was asked by the StarPhoenix to comment on Mr. Westerlund being let go and on FNUC’s alleged inability to meet reporting deadlines.
Then on January 25th, 2010 I issued a media release wherein I urged the FNUC Board of Governor’s to make the right decision regarding the inappropriate spending cited by Mr. Westerlund in his November 17th, 2009 memorandum. I also voiced my hope that the FNUC Board would address concerns raised by their students. These concerns included the preservation of FNUC integrity, long term funding stability for the university, administrative and financial accountability and the many deleterious comments voiced by the general public.
Financial Implications:
I believe there are serious financial implications to FNUC should appropriate measures not be implemented immediately by the Interim Board. In the worse case scenario these implications include the loss of approximately $24.2 million in annual funding.
While the potential for loss to the First Nations in Saskatchewan is most significant, to date FNUC has already lost significant research grant dollars through the demise of the Environmental Health Sciences program as well as the loss of other programs that are more recently being terminated due to the loss of funding. For example, the FNUC School of Dental Therapy is being discontinued as of March 31st, 2010. This will have a negative impact upon the health and wellbeing of our children and communities as well as reducing post-secondary opportunities for First Nation students.
Other significant risks include the declining number of students enrolled at FNUC, the continued attrition of accredited faculty and perhaps most significantly the university’s loss of credibility in the eyes of the First Nations public and within First Nations academia.
Review of FSIN Actions Regarding FNUC
The FSIN Chiefs in Assembly created SIFC in 1976 as the institution of the First Nations value of post secondary education. To this day the FSIN continues to be involved in the administration and management of the First Nations University of Canada as an FSIN institution. The recent concerns being addressed by the FSIN about FNUC administration and management were first raised in the spring of 2005. The timeline surrounding those concerns are as follows:
June 9, 2005
• The Chiefs in Assembly commissioned the All Chief’s Task Force on the future of the First Nations University of Canada. Resolution #1397 directed the Chiefs Task Force to undertake a review of FNUC and make recommendations that would place FNUC on a solid footing for current and future generations.
November 29, 2005.
• The Chiefs in Assembly received the Task Force Final Report and Recommendations. Resolution #1413 served to receive the report along with recommendations.
March 14, 2006.
• Chief’s Task Force-Interim Report to the FSIN Legislative Assembly recommending proposed models for an Interim Board.
May 30, 2006.
• Resolution #1451 approved the Interim Board of Governors structure which would remain in effect until March 31, 2007.
February 28, 2007.
• Resolution #1497 approved continuation of the Interim Board until the spring 2008 Legislative Assembly.
October 25, 2007.
• Resolution # 1552 acknowledged the resignation of Vice-Chief Whitefish as Board Chair and acknowledged Chief Clarence Bellegarde as the Chair of the Interim Board.
February 13, 2008.
• Resolution # 1557 approved an amended Interim Board of Governor’s structure and recommended that the FNUC Act be amended to reflect that structure in order to adhere to the AUCC criteria for enhancing the FNUC institutional autonomy and governance structure.
The current FNUC Board of Governors structure remains an Interim Board structure and has yet to be brought into a form consistent with the All Chief’s Task Force on the Future of the First Nations University of Canada.
FNUC Act Considerations:
First Nations University of Canada Act section 22(b) mandates the FNUC Board of Governors to issue an operational and program review at least once per year to the FSIN Executive Council. To date no such report has been received from the Interim Board.
Section 22(e) of the FNUC Act mandates that all business affairs conducted by the FNUC Board of Governors be consistent with the FNUC Act and its accompanying regulations. We have concerns that this mandate has not been followed by the Interim Board of Governors.
Section 13 of the FNUC Act mandates the FNUC Board of Governors Chairperson to report to the FSIN Executive Council and the Legislative Assembly.
The FSIN Education and Training Commission Act section 42(a) clearly states that the First Nations University of Canada is an institution of the FSIN and falls under the jurisdiction of the First Nations of Saskatchewan.
In conclusion, I hope that all of the forgoing provides clarity to the concerns raised by the FNUC Interim Board of Governors at their meeting of January 26th, 2010. I look forward to working cooperatively with the Interim Board of Governors to resolve all of the issues facing FNUC and moving into the future for the benefit of all the First Nations students at FNUC, who have attended our university in the past, and will in the future.
If you require further clarification or information on this matter please do not hesitate to contact my office at (306)956-6916.
Sincerely,
Chief Guy Lonechild
FEDERATION OF SASKATCHEWAN INDIAN NATIONS
Indian Governments of Saskatchewan
C.C. Chiefs of Saskatchewan
FSIN Executive and Executive Council
FSIN Senate