As changes happen in the governance of the First Nations University of Canada, a blend of confusion and hope hangs over the northern campus in Prince Albert.
Second-year nursing education program of Saskatchewan student Jess Little said she panicked when she learned the province had ceased funding the university.
"The nice thing with the First Nations University of Canada is that if you have children you are allowed to bring them (if they are) up to six months (old) and I'm expecting. If you have to go to school in Saskatoon they don't allow that," she said.
Since the original announcement, the school's board of governors has been dissolved and the president and vice-president placed on administrative leave.
Lydia Ross, chief of the student association of the northern campus attended the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations meetings where these decisions were made.
She agrees changes to governance are required and said issues should have been addressed sooner.
"I think it's something that should have been acted upon and resolved immediately," she said. "It's like the motor of a car ... we're the vehicle and I think our engine needs an overhaul so we can get right back on the road again and get to where we are going."
Prince Albert students are represented by a different student association than Regina-based students.
Ross said students were concerned about the status of degrees, and worried they might have to relocate to Regina to complete studies.
"The statement released by the University of Regina reassured us that things are going to be OK."
The U of R will continue to support the students.
"We don't want to go under the University of Regina for control. We want our control to remain with our people," said Rosealee Naumann, the FNUC northern campus student association's executive secretary.
Ross agreed.
"We need to keep this institution under the assembly of our chiefs. The cultural component we get in the classroom is priceless," she said.
An interim board of First Nations academics is being picked to oversee the institution. Ross said she hopes there will continue to be a chair left open for student representation.
"We don't want to lose our student voice for the northern campus," she said.
"We really need to preserve this institute for the aboriginal people in this province."
Ross said change must take place and said she hopes the recommendations that come out of the current study will be implemented.
"We sincerely hope that the chiefs implement those recommendations," she said. "Let this institution grow to be the strong thriving institution that it needs to be."
No but u just did....