First Nations University of Canada Unveils Renewed Traditional Campus

The First Nations University of Canada (FNUC) celebrated the renewal of its nēwoskan Traditional Campus on March 6, 2024, marking a significant enhancement to its land-based education facilities. The event highlighted the improvements made to the campus, which is situated on a 22-acre site located north of the South Saskatchewan River, near St. Louis.

FNUC President Jacqueline Ottmann emphasized the holistic approach to education that the campus offers. “Of course, there’s teaching involved, there’s storytelling, but there’s also that holistic support that occurs here,” she noted. The campus aims to provide a space where students can connect with nature, fostering a deeper understanding of their environment. “To learn from and be from the environment, to disconnect from the cities,” Ottmann explained. She described the campus as a place to engage meaningfully with one another and to appreciate the natural world, including the sounds of coyotes at night and the brilliance of the stars.

Before becoming a university campus, this land was cared for by Elder Shelley Belhumeur, who has been the steward of the property since 1998. Belhumeur stated, “I didn’t ever say I own it because, I mean, we don’t own land. We care for it. We live on it. It belongs to Mother Earth.” This philosophy reflects the strong connection that the First Nations community has with the land.

The renewal project encompasses several key upgrades, including renovations to the mess hall and kitchen, the addition of new overnight cabins, improved shower and washroom facilities, water infrastructure upgrades, a permanent sweat lodge structure, and an outdoor learning area. Belhumeur expressed her satisfaction with the enhancements, saying, “This is a sacred area… The good thing about now, the university having this, is my dream has come true, and I don’t have to pay for it.”

The renewal was financially supported through a combination of funding, with both the federal and provincial governments contributing $2.4 million, while FNUC added $1 million of its own funds. This financial backing underscores the commitment to fostering land-based education within the First Nations community.

The Traditional Campus has been operational since 2021 and continues to serve as a vital learning environment for university members, students, and elders. This facility is the newest addition to FNUC’s four campuses, reinforcing the institution’s dedication to providing culturally relevant education and fostering a connection to the land.

The event not only marked the completion of renovations but also highlighted the ongoing significance of land-based learning in the educational framework of the First Nations University of Canada.