Province returns funding to FNUC

The Saskatchewan government reinstated funding to the First Nations University of Canada March 23, following months of turmoil that brought the institution to the brink of dissolution.

The Sask Party returned the funding, pulled in February, following a deal between FNUC and the University of Regina that will see the U of R control FNUC’s finances.

Under the four-year agreement, provincial money earmarked for FNUC will be paid to the U of R which will administer funds and manage the institution.

In the first year, $5.2 million will be provided to the third-party administrator while FNUC restructures.

The university, which includes the main campus in Regina and two satellite campuses in Saskatoon and Prince Albert, has about 800 students.

It remains to be seen whether the federal government will return the nearly $7 million in annual funding it also pulled in February. To this point, Indian and Northern Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl indicated the federal government is not interested in returning funding. The new deal, however, may be enough to convince them to change their minds.

Students at the Prince Albert and Saskatoon campuses are holding sit-ins this week, saying they will remain there until the federal government reinstates funding.

Federal research funding for water, energy

Federal Environment Minister Jim Prentice announced an investment of $750,500 to the University of Saskatchewan for water research on World Water Day, March 22. The funding comes with in-kind support of $1.5 million from Environment Canada.

The funding will allow a U of S research team, led by Canada Research Chair Monique Dubé and Todd Pugsley, special advisor on energy, to develop software that can be used as a tool to help energy developers make environmentally responsible decisions in locating power plants. The software will do this by determining impact on water quantity and quality in the area. Once developed, it will be marketed to utility companies, power generation equipment suppliers and governments.

The U of S funding is part of a $3.75 million investment in water research for both the U of S and the University of Lethbridge.