It seems accountability doesn't necessarily translate into trust. On Thursday, the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations pulled the trigger on the First Nations University Board of Governors and put senior staff on administrative leave. The latter is pending the outcome of two independent reports looking into financial irregularities at the institution. But neither move is enough for the government to change their minds about pulling $5.2 million in public funding this past week.
"The government's position is this funding should be directed towards First Nations education with the greatest efficiency in that expenditure as possible." said Premier Brad Wall, speaking in Saskatoon Friday, "We we want to see as little as possible diverted to administration. Good or bad administration."
However, he says the dissolving of the FNUC Board does pave the way for what's next which is a discussion between government and FNUC stakeholders. Wall wouldn't rule out the possibility of reinstating funding someday if the FNUC proved the money was spent in the interest of students.
"I believe that had been lost at the First Nations University and we just made a decision that it was just time to close that chapter and work to build something better." said Wall.
"Our preference will be to use these dollars for education for First Nations people. That was the point of the investment in the first place."
Wall said that could include spending the money at the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technology (SIIT), the University of Regina, and the University of Saskatchewan.
