In May 1976, the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations entered into a federation agreement with the University of Regina, to establish the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College (SIFC). The Agreement provided for an independently administered university-college, the mission of which is to serve the academic, cultural and spiritual needs of First Nations' students.

On June 21, 2003, the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College officially changed its name to the First Nations University of Canada.

When SIFC first opened its doors in the fall of 1976, it had nine students and offered the following programs; Indian Studies, Indian Languages, Indian Teacher Education, Social Work, Fine Arts (Indian Art, Indian Art History) and Social Sciences.

Since then, enrolment has steadily grown, and the First Nations University of Canada now maintains an average annual enrolment over 800. Our alumni base has grown to over 3000.

The university offers programs and services on three campuses: Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert (Northern Campus).

Since 1983, the university has entered into over twenty-five agreements with Indigenous peoples' institutions in Canada, South and Central America and Asia and signed agreements with academic institutions in Siberia (Russia), Inner Mongolia (China) and Tanzania.

The university has been a member of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC) since 1994.