Board says it stands by President Jacqueline Ottman
The First Nations University of Canada is facing a governance controversy.
This comes as an aftermath of an investigation into allegations against President Jacqueline Ottman, as outlined in an Oct. 1 news story by CBC journalist Geoff Leo.
The CBC story says Ottman allegedly fired a key whistleblower, Jason Wong, the university’s vice-president of finance and administration.
The article also says the internal review, commissioned by the university’s board in 2023, has since created a rift within the Board of Governors and raised concerns about the university’s institutional stability.
Nepotism and ‘empire building’
The Deloitte LLP investigation allegedly revealed that Ottman engaged in mismanagement, nepotism, and “empire building,” according to the CBC.
Concerns about spending were also raised in the report.
Following the CBC’s reporting, the FNUniv board of governors released a statement that confirmed the existence of the internal reports.
The board also said it could not comment on confidential and personnel matters, but added the internal reports had been thoroughly reviewed by board members.
“We discussed them with President Ottmann and addressed the findings in the reports, “ the board of governors’ statement said. “After assessing the reports’ findings, the board, by resolution, voted to retain President Ottmann and we continue to work with her in monitoring the leadership and priorities of FNUniv.”
“After assessing the reports’ findings, the board, by resolution, voted to retain President Ottmann and we continue to work with her in monitoring the leadership and priorities of FNUniv,” – FNUniv board of governors
The board has “complete confidence” in Ottmann and it stands behind her, the board said.
Earlier this week, Ottmann put out a statement of her own that did not mention the controversy, but discussed a recent town hall meeting.
“Each time we gather, I am reminded of how we walk together as a university community — guided by our values, our cultures, and our shared purpose,” Ottmann said in the statement dated Oct. 14. “These gatherings remind me of the strength that comes from unity and the care that exists within our circle.“
Ottmann also said FNUniv’s financial information is available online for public viewing, allowing anyone who wishes to learn more to do so.
Concerns about political interference
Initially established in 1976, the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College was renamed the First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv) in 2003. Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) legislation covers the governance and operational policies of FNUniv.
Over time, concerns were raised that decisions detrimental to the FNUniv were being made by the governance board. In 2009-2010, federal and provincial governments withheld some funding and called for improvements in the board governance. The then-Saskatchewan minister of advanced education, Rob Norris, stated in 2010 that it was “time for politicians to step back and the academic leadership to step forward.“
