Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
You know, the committee's in a very difficult spot. Here we are, talking about an issue that's fluid. Before you appeared today and we were talking about having you appear before the committee, I expressed great concern about this, because here we are talking about an e-mail that none of us has seen. We're talking about a situation in which nothing is finalized. We're being told different things by different people.
With regard to the statements that were just attributed to the minister, there was no certainty about anything about the statements...and I think the statements made by the minister were quite appropriate at the time, and accurate and reflective of what was going on. The department has continued to take an active role and is very concerned about the situation. Of course our primary concern is with the students.
I took the time to look at the All Chiefs’ Task Force report from 2005. The problems at FNU predate 2005. It's quite clear in that report. And a lot has changed since that time. There are 60 other institutions that are receiving ISSP funding. Enrolment at all of the universities and post-secondary institutions that I have talked to, from the aboriginal and first nations community, is up, while it's down at First Nations University. The enrolment numbers that I have show that enrolment at First Nations University today is about one-half of what it was in 1995. There's been a steady decline.
There are other options. Students have exercised their ability to go where they want to go, and they've done so. At the same time, I appreciate what Mr. Lundy was saying about the faculty, the curriculum, and everything else. I think what we're looking at is a concern about administration, pure and simple.
There is something that hasn't been talked about here—and I'd like to get it on the record. There is revenue to First Nations University of approximately $1 million per year through the lease to the federal government of part of their building. That certainly is some core funding, I would say. The department released $1.5 million this month to First Nations University, or will be releasing it shortly. That's a result of two items that were being held back for late reporting.
I guess my question is whether this wouldn't cover the activities to the end of the school year for the students who are currently there, which has to be our first and foremost concern. Let's make sure the students get through this session, which ends in April sometime.
The second question I'd like to get some clarity on is where we sit in terms of this debate that's gone on about whether there are moneys in the scholarship fund or not. I know that's been batted around quite a bit, and it would be nice if we could get some clarity on that.