Syllabics
The Senior Academic Management Team collaborates to ensure delivery of FNUniv’s academic plan in accordance with the budget, and through effective academic administration to achieve student outcomes.
Dr. Ramona Neckoway, a First Nation scholar from Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation in northern Manitoba, holds a PhD from the University of Manitoba. She has served in leadership roles, including Program Chair, Director, Associate Vice-President, and Vice-President (Indigenous Initiatives and Reconciliation). Dr. Neckoway is dedicated to Indigenous education and has led Indigenous language programming and revitalization initiatives. She also has extensive research and teaching experience.
Dr. Neckoway is strongly committed to Indigenous knowledge, ethical research, and collaborative leadership.
Dr. Neckoway joined FNUniv on January 1, 2026, and is located at the Regina Campus.
Dr. Fidji Gendron is a Professor of Biology and she is interested in the traditional uses of native plants. She works in partnership with Elders and has developed booklets on plant medicines. These teaching tools help promote native plants recognition and highlight their importance in the Indigenous culture. She is also involved in a group that examines the bio-active chemical components in native plants.
Another area of interest is how to braid Indigenous and Western Science in her Biology courses. She organizes hands-on activities in her labs under the guidance of an Elder who shares protocol and stories with students.
Dr. Tara Turner is an Associate Professor in Indigenous Social Work (INSW) at the Saskatoon Campus. Dr. Turner is from a small community in the mountains of British Columbia. Moving to Saskatchewan in 1999, she completed her PhD in Clinical Psychology at the University of Saskatchewan in 2010. Tara’s PhD dissertation, Re-searching Metis Identity: My Metis Family Story, explored Metis stories and Metis research methods. Before becoming a faculty member at FNUniv in 2013, Dr. Turner was the Director of Health at the Metis-Nation Saskatchewan (MN-S), and she is a member of the MN-S. Dr. Turner continues learning and sharing Indigenous knowledges and methods, and has a particular connection with the ceremony of circles.
Dr. Edward Doolittle
Dr. Edward Doolittle is Kanyenkehake (Flint Nation = Mohawk) from Six Nations in southern Ontario. He earned his PhD in pure mathematics (partial differential equations) from the University of Toronto in 1997. Between 2000 and 2001, he studied the Mohawk language full-time with Onkwewenna Kentsyohkwa (Our Language Group) in his community.
In 2001, he joined the First Nations University of Canada, part of the University of Regina, where he is now an Associate Professor of Mathematics and Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies.
Indigenous Business & Public Administration – Dr. Bettina Schneider
Indigenous Fine Arts – Audrey Dreaver
Indigenous Journalism & Communication Arts (INCA) – Shannon Avison
Indigenous Education – Undergraduate Program – Reanna Daniels
Indigenous Education – Graduate Program – Dr. Kathleen O’Reilly
Indigenous Health Studies – Dr. Carrie LaVallie
Indigenous Languages – Tammy Ratt
Indigenous Literatures in English – Dr. Jesse Archibald-Barber
Indigenous Studies – Dr. Shane Keepness
Indigenous Knowledge & Science – Dr. Fidji Gendron
Indigenous Social Work – Undergraduate Program – Dr. Marlene McNab
Indigenous Social Work – Graduate Program – Dr. Susannah Walker
Bettina Welsh
Bettina Welsh is a dedicated educator and higher education administrator. She began her career as a high school teacher before becoming a Management Studies instructor at SIIT in Regina and developing post-secondary courses at the University of Regina’s Faculty of Education and SUNTEP.
Over 15 years, she has held various administrative roles at the University, including Assistant Instructional Designer and Director of Student Affairs, supporting various services and participating in key committees. Bettina holds a Bachelor’s in Business Education, a Master’s in Curriculum & Instruction, and is a Ph.D. candidate researching culturally relevant pedagogy and student development, emphasizing holistic educational environments.
Sheila Acoose has been part of the First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv) since 1998 with the Department of Indigenous Studies and later worked with Science, Business, Indigenous Languages, English and Indigenous Education.
Sheila graduated with a Diploma of Associate in Administration – May 2006.
Lianda Tanner is the Registrar at the First Nations University of Canada. She is very proud to acknowledge her Cree and Saulteaux heritage from Cowessess First Nation located along the beautiful Qu’Appelle Valley with Crooked Lake and the Qu’Appelle River. Lianda achieved her Bachelor of Administration degree in Management from the University of Regina, in federation with the First Nations University of Canada and is now pursuing a Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration and Leadership at Royal Roads University. Lianda’s career journey has kept her working with the First Nations University of Canada in the area of Registrar since entering the workforce upon completing an Office Administration program. Lianda finds her career at the First Nation University of Canada very fulfilling because she is working in an environment where First Nations and non-First Nations people are learning and experiencing First Nations culture and traditions through learning pedagogies and ceremonies.
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(the good path through life)
(the good path through life)