FNUC Officials Hold Talks With Angry Students

FNUC Officials Hold Talks With Angry Students

Wednesday, July 06, 2005 at 15:26

 

 

Students at the Saskatoon campus of the First Nations University of Canada are meeting with some high-ranking officials today, one day after protesting a firing at their school.

 

The students held a rally yesterday and temporarily occupied a boardroom at the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations’ headquarters after the abrupt dismissal of the dean of the Saskatoon campus, Dr. Winona Wheeler.

 

Acting university president Charles Pratt — who hand-delivered Wheeler’s notice of dismissal yesterday — is one of the officials that will meet face-to-face with the students this afternoon.

 

Some students say they have dropped classes and are demanding a return of their tuition as a form of protest.

 

Student Kathy Munroe believes Wheeler was deemed a threat to the FSIN.

 

Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations chief Alphonse Bird says he continues to support the work of vice chief Morley Watson related to the First Nations University of Canada.

 

He says it’s important that students show respect and patience while an FSIN-appointed task force reviews the governance and direction of the university.

 

Bird also promises that during the process, there will be opportunities for everyone to make their issues and concerns known.