Faculty members at the First Nations University of Canada are refusing to comply with the board of governors’ directive to stay silent following revelations from an independent investigation into the institution’s president. In a statement signed by concerned FNUniv faculty and shared with CBC News, it was emphasized that university leadership should be ethical, financially responsible, student-centered, and accountable to the people and communities it serves, qualities they believe are lacking in the current leadership at FNUniv.
The group, choosing not to reveal their identities due to fears of reprisal, expressed their concerns to uphold the values of hope, resurgence, and innovation that FNUniv was established upon and vowed not to watch its future jeopardized. Deloitte Legal, an affiliate of Deloitte LLP, was engaged by the university’s board of governors to investigate numerous allegations against university president Jacqueline Ottmann in 2023. CBC obtained a comprehensive report this summer highlighting Ottmann’s involvement in nepotism, empire building, financial policy violations, and disregard for oversight and control systems.
Ottmann terminated the key whistleblower, Jason Wong, who served as the university’s VP of finance and administration, while Deloitte was finalizing its report in mid-2023. The preliminary draft of a separate report on Wong’s dismissal by the firm concluded that his firing breached university policies and was retaliatory in nature. Despite these findings, a majority of the board members opted against dismissing Ottmann, with the board publicly expressing its support for her. However, two board members who advocated for Ottmann’s removal resigned in 2024.
The faculty members’ statement urged the suspension of the university’s executive team, including Ottmann, and the dissolution of the current board of governors. They called for a professional board comprising members with diverse expertise, lived experiences, and national representation. The faculty also criticized political interference by the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations in the university’s governance and administration. The governance and operational framework of the university, outlined in FSIN legislation, has been subject to changes over the years due to past funding crises related to board governance issues.
The faculty highlighted challenges at FNUniv, including staff turnover, financial deficits, unstable academic leadership, and the marginalization of the elders council. They underscored the decline in financial stability, relational accountability, and prudent financial management since Ottmann assumed leadership. Indigenous Services Canada stated they were not informed of the FSIN’s board composition changes or the Deloitte investigation findings. ISC reiterated its commitment to supporting FNUniv within the terms of their funding agreement.
FNUniv’s membership in Universities Canada, a federal-level university advocacy organization, was also mentioned. Universities Canada indicated they are aware of the situation and follow specific criteria and processes to address any concerns related to their members.