The country's only native-run university may have its government funding cut off within days, imperilling a once-celebrated institution that opened to a lavish royal reception just seven years ago.
Saskatchewan's Advanced Education Minister Rob Norris said today that provincial funding for the First Nations University of Canada is in "significant jeopardy" in light of damning allegations against its senior administration.
The former chief financial officer of the Regina-based university has filed a wrongful dismissal suit that claims senior administrators and staff received thousands of dollars in payments for unused leave. In a report to the school's audit committee before his departure, Murray Westerlund also drew attention to questionable expense claims for trips to Las Vegas, Montreal and Hawaii.
"These allegations are serious, troubling and disturbing," Mr. Norris said. "It's safe to say that public funding from the province sits at some significant jeopardy. We are keeping all options open save one: the status quo."
If the province freezes funding - between $4-million and $5-million annually - the federal government would likely follow suit and kill its $7.3-million grant, according to a regional spokesman for the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs.
School officials refused to comment on the allegations or the potential closure, saying they're awaiting an internal investigation scheduled to wrap up next month.
But aboriginal leaders in the province are already warning Premier Brad Wall's government they'll fight to keep the school alive.
"To close it would be a huge loss, not only to students but to all First Nations," said Perry Bellegarde, who was chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations when the school opened. "It was a beacon for what can happen when our people work together."
This is not the first time accusations of financial mismanagement have surfaced at the school, which has suffered a string of setbacks over the past five years following a sweep of senior staff by its board of directors.
The school has been strongly criticized by faculty groups for what they see as political interference at the university by the FSIN. Most of the university's board members are appointed by Saskatchewan's tribal councils.
Jim Turk, president of the Canadian Association of University Teachers, which has placed the school under censure, said repeated attempts by his group to meet with native leaders and discuss reforms have led nowhere. "It is really sad to see that all of the concerns we had continue," he said.
"At the end of the day the only way this place can be saved is if the FSIN cleans it up," he said. "The provincial and the federal governments can cut off funding. They can bring the place down, but the only ones who can fix the problem is the FSIN."
An internal report proposing reforms to the school's governance was expected in time for next week's FSIN winter assembly, but has been delayed by several weeks. "The FSIN was to weigh in on that report, but because of the delay, it will be some time before the governance issues can be cleared up," said Mr. Norris. "Our government - in partnership with the federal government, the FSIN and the University of Regina - has made every effort to help this institution. But in the end there have been considerable forces of resistance to changes in governance, changes that are really fundamental."
Second-year business major Cadmus Delorme, the spokesman for the students' association, said students are outraged by the allegations and are anxious for actions to be taken.
"We are getting tired of waiting," he said Wednesday before a meeting with the Education Minister. Mr. Delorme said enrolment at the school has dropped because of the uncertainty and it has been difficult to attract and keep faculty. "Our fear is that the damage this has caused will set this place back 20 years," he said. "This is a place that has so much potential. There is room here for so much more."
Several universities across the country have stepped up their efforts in recent years to reach out to aboriginal students, who go on to higher education in far fewer numbers than other groups in Canada. Those efforts include bridging programs, outreach to high school students and the creation of special facilities on campus, such as the First People's House at the University of Victoria.
Mr. Norris said it is unfortunate the good work being done at other schools is being overshadowed by the events at the 750-student First Nations University.
The number of university graduates among First Nations people is increasing, according to Statistics Canada, but at just 8 per cent, it is far below the national average of 24 per cent.
Founded in 1976 as the Saskatchewan Federated Indian College, the First Nations University was renamed in 2003 during a ceremony that included Prince Edward among its guest list.
Randy Lundy, a First Nation's poet and head of the university's faculty council, said even with the many new options, First Nations University still has an important role.
Patrick White