FNUniv commemorates 50 years of Indigenous led post-secondary education

FNUniv is celebrating its 50th anniversary and decades of Indigenous education in Saskatchewan. Mick Favel has the story.

The First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv) celebrated its 50th anniversary by hosting events on three of its campuses.

At the Regina campus, Past and present faculty and alumni gathered to celebrate the major milestone, along with the institution’s history.

“It’s a story of resilience and strength, resolve and grit. A number of people came together to help realize this institution,” said Jackie Ottmann, the president of FNUniv.

May 27 1976, the then known Saskatchewan Indian Federated College (SIFC), signed on to become a part of the University of Regina.

In its first year, SIFC has a dozen staff and students who were housed in trailers on the university campus.

Milton Tootoosis was an SIFC student in the 1980’s and found a sense of belonging and community at the college.

“It was the first time I didn’t feel inferior. It was the first time I didn’t feel those racial barriers and questions. Do I fit in?” said Tootoosis.

FNUniv now has an alumni community of over 7,000 members.

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Generations of FNUniv graduates have joined the work force, equipped with an Indigenous focused perspective in fields such as education and social work.

“Most importantly it’s our ancestors, they are going to be so proud of all this university accomplished. This was their visions and we are seeing it happen,” said Jonathan Pasap, a board of governors of FNUniv.

Since its inception, FNUniv has grown significantly. The university now has four campus spaces in Saskatchewan, including a land-based learning center near St. Louis.

The institute now sees an annual student body of over 1,000 students.

Ottman says the plan is to continue making the institution thrive for the next 50 years.

“The uniqueness of this university is being recognized,” said Ottmann.

“It is the hope that we are seen as essential, not only to the province but to the nation. That we are uplifted for that particular uniqueness,” she concluded.