First Nations University of Canada gets $4 million in funding

The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians announced today that Indian and Northern Affairs Canada is prepared to invest up to a maximum of $4 million in transitional funding through its Indian Studies Support Program (ISSP) to the University of Regina for expenses related to programming for students attending the First Nations University of Canada.

The ISSP funding will cover the period of September 1, 2010, to March 31, 2011, and is subject to the First Nations University of Canada meeting milestones reflecting reforms to its governance and accountability structures. This new transitional funding will support the university during its ongoing efforts to become a fiscally responsible post-secondary institution in good standing.

“Today’s agreement could not have been reached without the contributions of all partners, particularly Chief Guy Lonechild whose leadership has been instrumental in breathing new life into the First Nations University of Canada,” said Minister Strahl. “I am encouraged by the university’s progress so far and look forward to seeing it become increasingly stable, both with regards to its finances and in its governance.”

The Government of Canada continues to encourage the First Nations University of Canada and the University of Regina to work with their partners to generate additional sources of revenue and improve the overall financial stability and governance of the institution.

“We are pleased to be providing funds to the University of Regina to help support the students of the First Nations University of Canada up to March 31, 2011,” said Rob Clarke, Member of Parliament for Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River. “It will be up to both of the universities to work together and continue this momentum, allowing the First Nations University of Canada to become a fully accountable and fiscally stable institution.”

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada currently funds more than 60 institutions through the Indian Studies Support Program, a proposal-driven program designed to support the development and delivery of college and university level courses for First Nation and Inuit students.