[mob4glob] Standing With Students at First Nations University - Community Walk - Thurs, Feb 11

[Announcements List for U of S Mobilization For Global Justice Club]

First Nations University Students

 

"Walking to Survive"

 

Thursday, February 11, 2010

 

12:00pm - Gather at First Nations University (in the gymnasium - Southwest
entrance)

710 Duke St. (Duke St. and 7th Ave. North in City Park)

1:00pm - Walk from First Nations University through downtown and back to
First Nations University 

2:00pm - Potluck and speakers at First Nations University (gymnasium)

 

Why join this walk?

 

-          First Nations University students and staff have been caught in
the middle of a political battle between the Federal and Provincial
governments and Aboriginal leadership.  In the past two weeks both
Provincial then Federal governments have cut funding to First Nations
University, all but guaranteeing the disappearance of Canada's first
Aboriginal-run and focused university.  

-          Students have rallied and applied pressure to Aboriginal
leadership, successfully achieving a dissolution of the University's board
of governors (removing board members with political affiliation - the issue
at the centre of the controversy) , which is currently in the process of
reconstitution without political members.  

-          The rally will call for the restoration of funding at both
government levels on the basis of  the unique educational environment and
programming offered to the First Nations University and on the legal basis
of the right to education under the numbered treaties. 

 

Facts about the First Nations University of Canada

 

-          Offers unique programming such as Indigenous Social Work,
Administration and Governance tailored specifically to First Nations
contexts, Language and Cultural Education (including Dene, Cree and
Anishinabe), Indigenous Fine Arts, and Indigenous Studies.

-          Offers off-campus cultural camps as part of course work

-          Offers the presence and guidance of Aboriginal Elders on site at
the four campuses.

-          Offers a welcoming and supportive environment to students who
would otherwise not access post-secondary education in many cases.

-          Is open to and has a significant enrollment of non-Aboriginal
students including new immigrants to Canada.

 

Please support a solution based on mutual respect between cultures and a
recognition of the enrichment First Nations University of Canada provides to
its students, our communities and beyond.