Too Good to Wait Until Tomorrow

First Nations University loses provincial funding

"The Saskatchewan Party government is withdrawing $5.2-million in funding from the troubled First Nations University of Canada, officials announced yesterday, and the federal government also has plans to "re-examine" it's funding for the school."

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"Questions about the university's financial impropriety arose after a lawsuit filed by the former chief financial officer of the university, Murray Westerlund, alleged he was fired for presenting documents to FNUC's audit committee outlining alleged misuse of funds and inappropriate expense claims."

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"A student association official said on Tuesday the students will call for the university board to be dissolved"

Finally, someone is standing up to the rampant corruption that is all too common among Saskatchewan's biggest racket known as the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN). It's both refreshing and encouraging that the students themselves want the bastards booted out. One arm, at least, of the insipid Indian Industry is being dismantled - the academic wing, or should I say, one small part of the academic wing. So much left to do, though, and the academic wing is only a small part of the industry. There's still the lawyers, consultants, and a large cadre of civil servants. Faster, please.

More here (emphasis mine).

"When asked if it’s important for FNUC to exist, Strahl said “it has filled some gaps.” He questioned the continued need to pour millions of dollars into an institution with plummeting enrolment and a lack of accountability."

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"At the FSIN meetings Wednesday, FNUC students — who had bused in from Regina —walked out of the assembly angry their leaders could not agree on meaningful reforms to their school.

“There were two camps in there — one camp for us and one camp against us,” said FNUC Regina campus vice-president Cadmus Delorme. “It’s heartbreaking. We love our institution.”

Indian fine arts student Adam Martin said some chiefs “were out to protect their own cash cow.

“It’s the same old crap. They’re basically back to playing politics.”"

"The seven-hour in-camera debate led off with five students, who received a standing ovation for their emotional 45-minute presentation. However, their central point —demanding the FNUC board of governors be dissolved — did not pass."

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"Lonechild said relations are currently strained between First Nations, the federal government and the provincial government."

Ha! When have they not been strained!! It's standard operating procedure with the FSIN.

"FNUC board chair Chief Clarence Bellegarde criticized Norris for making the announcement while they were discussing the matter in assembly. He said the university will find funding somehow, even without the millions from the provincial government."

Ya, right. Good luck with that, Bellegarde Old-Guard. I hope your days are numbered. Power to the students!!

And another one:

"Adam Martin, a fine arts student at FNUC in Regina, told reporters he left a meeting with chiefs feeling uneasy about the future of the school.

"I don't know what the hell they're going to do," Martin said. "They're back to playing the political game."

Martin, who said he could only speak for himself, expressed concern that First Nations chiefs on the university board were more interested in the perks of the position than they were in the school."

Ya think?

Seriously, though, I feel really sorry for these students, but by the same token, this is a really good sign that young Aboriginal people in Saskatchewan are calling the FSIN's bluff. That bodes well for the future, I'd say. It's a major blow to the life sucking Indian Industry in the province where it was born. Now, if we could just trim that self-serving den of cronies that caused this kerfuffle. We'll have to keep the NDP out of power for several more terms to get that done.