FNUC celebrates one-year anniversary of student movement to save institution

First Nations University of Canada students and staff gathered Thursday to celebrate their accomplishments. A year ago, FNUC students rallied to keep the Saskatchewan-based institution open after it lost more than $12 million in provincial and federal funding. The student movement included a 72-day-long "live-in" at the university. University of Regina president Vianne Timmons, who was honoured in a special ceremony for her continued support of FNUC, says one year later, the institution is in great shape. "They've restructured. They're now sustainable. They went to the province with a balanced budget and (didn't ask) for an increase." FNUC interim president Shauneen Pete says enrolment has increased to over 600 students this term, and she believes that number will continue to increase. Regina Leader-Post