Stevenson Guilty Plea Called “Day Of Reckoning”
Wednesday, July 06, 2011 at 13:50
A letter written by an FSIN vice-chief says the actions taken by the 2005 Board of Governors for the First Nations University of Canada “speak for themselves”.
The letter, by Vice-Chief Morley Watson, was sent to all chiefs of Saskatchewan following the guilty plea by former FNUC vice-president Wes Stevenson.
A month ago, Stevenson pleaded guilty to defrauding the federal government of $15,000 that was intended for the school.
In Watson’s letter, he calls it a “day of reckoning” and thanks the 2005 board, chiefs-in-assembly and former FSIN Chief Alphonse Bird for the “wisdom and the courage to stand up for our institution on a call for accountability and transparency”.
Watson says the FNUC board had documents in its possession at the time outling unfair practices, preferred and privileged management decisions regarding students, hiring and firing practices, and ignored policy — as well as alleged criminal activity.
When word of Stevenson’s actions got out, the FSIN removed several teachers and officials from the school, prompting an outcry and extended media coverage.
Watson says the media coverage was one-sided and did more to hurt the reputation of the school than any action by the board or chiefs.
Despite Stevenson’s conviction, FSIN Chief Guy Lonechild recently said that didn’t justify the federation’s interference in 2005.
He said the matter could have been handled differently, adding steps are being taken to keep some distance between the FSIN and the university.