Evidence of meeting #4 for Indigenous and Northern Affairs in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was students.
A recording is available from Parliament.
4:05 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Bruce Stanton
You only have 15 seconds.
Does someone want to add just a very brief comment?
4:05 p.m.
Dorothy Myo Special Advisor to the Chief, Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations
Good afternoon, Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development. I'm Dorothy Myo.
I think at the first nations community level, there is a going to be a huge loss in terms of having an institution that is there to transfer our indigenous knowledge to the next generation. That means our languages, our culture, our ceremonies, our practices will not have a mechanism for how we will transfer it to both aboriginal students and non-aboriginal students.
4:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Bruce Stanton
We'll have to hold that thought there, and perhaps you'll have an opportunity to continue with that comment further.
We will now go to Mr. Lemay.
You have seven minutes, sir.
4:10 p.m.
Bloc
Marc Lemay Bloc Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC
I want to be sure that the translation is coming through clearly.
Chief, Ms. Myo, it's important that you understand what I'm about to say.
4:10 p.m.
Voices
Oh, oh!
4:10 p.m.
Conservative
4:10 p.m.
Bloc
Marc Lemay Bloc Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC
First of all, thank you for being here. What we're seeing here today may not be a record, but it almost is one. Why? I think all committee members are very much aware of the nature of your request. Why? Because the House resumed sitting on March 3 and the very next day, March 4, we became aware of what was happening at the First Nations University in Saskatchewan. As early as March 10 and March 11, you made a number of statements that were brought to our attention here in committee. We decided to put aside other business in order to hear from you right away. So then, you have to understand—and I hope that you do—that the committee takes your request very, very seriously.
Speaking for the Bloc and for my colleagues as well, it would be catastrophic if the First Nations University were to shut its doors.
That said, I must say, however, that you went looking for trouble, if you will excuse the expression. And I don't know how it will all end because we have not yet met with ministry authorities, although we will do so very shortly. I don't need you to go over the facts again. I know them, I read all about it. To be honest, over the last three years, I think the governments have been very patient. It took three years to finally say that enough is enough.
Now it's time to rebuild some bridges. I have one question, and only one question, and I would like the representative of the University of Regina to answer it. Chief Lonechild could probably answer it as well.
What guarantees can you give governments, that is the Saskatchewan government as well as the federal government, that if funding is restored and some assistance provided, this type of situation will never happen again? That's my only question, but I would like to have an answer.
4:10 p.m.
President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Regina
Thank you very much for the question.
The University of Regina's relationship with its federated college was clear. We were academically integrated, but they were independent administratively and governance-wise.
Under the leadership of Chief Lonechild, FSIN has said they are now prepared to go into a shared management model with the University of Regina. It's a huge step and a huge concession on the chiefs' part to say they will give up that autonomy. The University of Regina has a record of good, solid fiscal management. As long as we're in a shared management relationship with the First Nations University, we can guarantee that we will continue the history of accountability, transparency, and openness in terms of fiscal management. We guarantee that.
4:15 p.m.
Chief, Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations
Thank you very much, member from the Bloc.
It's important to know that we've been down this road before, in the area of gaming. We've seen troubles at our institution. When we restructured, of course, we did so in the best interests of employment and ensuring that we had governance issues in place. Within that institution, we now win governance awards from the Conference Board of Canada.
Again, with the First Nations University of Canada, we are serious and sincere about ensuring that we make all the proper reorganizational efforts and restructuring efforts. Depoliticization is the first step, but we'll look at best practices around the country. We'll ensure that, through what we learn on going forward with the partnership arrangement, we'll have a stronger institution long into the future.
4:15 p.m.
Bloc
Marc Lemay Bloc Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC
Are the University of Regina and the First Nations University prepared to enter into an agreement, or sign a contract? Ms. Myo will probably be the one to answer that question. If such an agreement were to be concluded within the next few years, would the terms be upheld?
4:15 p.m.
President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Regina
I just received an e-mail that says that all partners have signed a contract to do a shared management agreement: the provincial government, FSIN, FNU, and the University of Regina. They've all signed on to a shared management agreement.
4:15 p.m.
Bloc
Marc Lemay Bloc Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC
Is this document available? Could the committee get a copy of it once all of the parties have signed it? Could it be made public, so the committee can see it? Even if it is in English, arrangements will be made to have it translated.
4:15 p.m.
President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Regina
Yes, we can get you that. It's signed and ready to be presented to you today.
4:15 p.m.
Bloc
Marc Lemay Bloc Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC
Fine.
I would like Ms. Mayo, the special advisor to the Grand Chief, to finish what she started to say earlier.
How important is this university to aboriginal students?
4:15 p.m.
Special Advisor to the Chief, Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations
Thank you.
This university is important, of course, to our students, our young people, and other learners, because it preserves, protects, and maintains our first nations languages, cultures, and knowledge. We have the ability, with a structure in place, to pass on and transfer this knowledge to our own people but also to share it with other non-first nations, aboriginal, and non-aboriginal learners and students.
That sharing creates, I think, an understanding of who we are and our history and our languages. That understanding, I think, also creates dialogue and a place where we can begin to work together for a better future for all people.
4:15 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Bruce Stanton
Thank you, Mr. Lemay.
Now we'll go to Ms. Crowder for seven minutes. That will be followed by Mr. Duncan for the same time.
Go ahead, Ms. Crowder.
4:15 p.m.
NDP
Jean Crowder NDP Nanaimo—Cowichan, BC
Thank you.
I want to thank you all for coming here today.
I also think it's important that you've acknowledged that there have been challenges with the university in the past. We all know that. I also think it's important to acknowledge the fact that we have a diverse group working together to find solutions for the institution and the students. I think it's always important to keep in mind that what we're talking about here is the health and well-being of the institution and the students.
A number of you have outlined the benefits of the institution. I just want to touch on a couple of things. One is that we've had numerous letters. I know that people are listening, and I want to thank people for writing in and talking about their personal experiences at the institution. We certainly had one here that outlined in detail the benefits of the language aspect of the university, which is simply not available anywhere else in Canada.
In the 2005 report, as well--and some of this has been covered--it says that at that time, it had one of only four environmental health sciences programs in North America. It had the only dental therapy program, which I think you touched on. The nursing program at the Prince Albert campus is the largest indigenous professional program in the world. In terms of celebrating the successes of the university, I think that gets left out of this conversation on a regular basis.
I have two questions for you. First, in the minister's appearance before the committee last week, he indicated that he's been through this so many times that he asked them, “What's the proposal?” The minister a week ago was indicating that he had no knowledge of the proposal being put forward to rescue First Nations University. He also indicated, in response to a question about the model changing, that it's still not there. This was a week ago. He indicated that he didn't know about a plan and that the model's not there. That's one question.
Second, the minister has consistently stated that the money could still be there, the $7.2 million. But it will follow students individually or will be available through proposal applications through ISSP, and, I would presume, outside of First Nations University.
I'd like you to tell me why those proposals will not work. You've addressed it briefly, but I'd like you to elaborate.
So I have two questions: how can the minister say that there was no plan or proposal, given what we've heard today, and why will the proposals the minister put forward not work?
4:20 p.m.
Chief, Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations
I'll ask for some assistance from Ms. Myo as well, but for ISSP funding, the funding primarily does not cover core funding, operations, equipment.
We fully believe, given that Minister Rob Norris, last year or a year and a half ago, at the Canadian Council for Ministers on Education, used First Nations University as a best practice... We asked the very same question: what has changed? Everything and nothing has changed.
4:20 p.m.
NDP
Jean Crowder NDP Nanaimo—Cowichan, BC
I'm sorry, Chief, could you repeat that? A year ago the provincial government was citing you among best practices?
