First Nations University marks a milestone

REGINA – It’s been a decade of highs and lows for the First Nations University of Canada (FNUC) in Regina.

“The power of this institution was very strong and once it had gone through a difficult time it was ready to evolve and grow,” said Lynn Wells, Vice-President of Academics at FNUC.

Hundreds attended a traditional powwow in celebration of the university’s 10th anniversary on Thursday – a milestone that didn’t come without challenges.

In 2010, The school was in danger of closing its doors. At that time, they were struggling financially. Concerns over staff vacation pay and business trips to holiday destinations saw the school lose large a significant amount of federal and provincial funding.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

“It was a period in the institution’s history that had to be gone through and we’ve gone through it quite successfully,” said Wells.

Since that time, FNUC’s enrollment has grown 30 per cent and currently serves 755 registered students.

Thomas Benjoe graduated in 2011 with a degree in business. He believes the hard part is over and is happy the university braved the storm.

“A lot of what we do, we go back to our traditions, we go back to our elders and we see guidance from them and in doing so, we’re given a better outlook for the university,” said Benjoe.

After nearly four years at FNUC, Benjoe says there is no place he would rather be.

“I love this institution and to be a part of this day is just really important to me as a former student,” said Benjoe.