Message from the President: Fall 2025 Town Hall Reflections

By Dr. Jacqueline Ottmann, President, First Nations University of Canada

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Fall 2025 Town Hall. 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. These gatherings remind me of the strength that comes from unity and the care that exists within our circle.

Across the updates we shared, a clear picture emerged: the First Nations University of Canada continues to move forward with strength, stability, and purpose.

• Financial Health: We maintain a strong financial position, supported by steady provincial and federal operating monies, as well as responsible stewardship across the university. Our financial information is available online for public viewing, allowing those who wish to learn more to do so.
• Students at the Centre: Our halls and classrooms are once again filled with the energy of learners, with student numbers generally up and an upward trend across our campuses.
• People and Supports: We’re transitioning to a new HR business-partner model to strengthen consistent service to our teams and support recruitment, retention, and planning.
• Community Momentum: Since 2022, partners have entrusted FNUniv with significant support to advance Indigenous education, focused on growing our impact. Altogether, our fundraising efforts have totaled over 40 million dollars since 2022. We will continue to work with our Board to prioritize initiatives that support student and community research, teaching and learning experiences and strengthen our long-term future. We appreciate the relationship that we have with the province (we received a slight increase in funding this year) and with the federal government.

• Culture and Celebration: We continue to uplift our students, Elders, alumni, and friends through teaching, research, and ceremony. The work of our Powwow Committee and the community’s generosity are powerful signs of this collective care.

• Wellness Resources: Elders and Wellness Counsellors continue to be available on all our campuses.
  • Student Success Services: studentsuccess@firstnationsuniversity.ca
  • Wellness Counsellors:
    • Regina Campus – Sophie Littlechief-Carteri slittlechief-carteri@firstnationsuniversity.ca
  • • Saskatoon Campus – Eileen Cuthand ecuthand@firstnationsuniversity.ca
    • Northern Campus – Jessica Ruszkowski jruszkowski@firstnationsuniversity.ca

Our Town Halls are opportunities to pause and reflect on how far we have come — and where we are heading. They remind us that FNUniv holds a unique place in Canada and the world: a university rooted in Indigenous knowledge systems that are healing, transformative, and relational.

As we move forward, I want to thank each of you for the care and commitment you bring to our shared work. Whether through teaching, learning, service, or ceremony, you are shaping the future of our university in profound ways.

Let us continue to nurture our students and one another in good ways — with humility, honesty, respect, and truth.

Dr. Jacqueline Ottmann
President
First Nations University of Canada