Dr. Jacqueline Ottmann (Derek Craddock/paNOW Staff)

By Derek Craddock

SPARKING THEIR IMAGINATION

P.A. business leaders learn about future campus of the First Nations University of Canada

Sep 21, 2023 | 4:00 PM

Right now, it’s just an empty field with grass flowing in the wind next to Prince Albert’s Victoria Hospital.

But in a matter of years, that field will soon house a new university campus that will offer a wealth of opportunities for Indigenous and non-Indigenous students from northern Saskatchewan and across the world.

The First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv) will soon build a brand-new northern campus to replace the current building on Central Avenue in Prince Albert. It’s expected to house 450 students and have space for community events and gatherings.

Last fall, the northern campus had almost 320 students enrolled and it’s expected those numbers will only increase.

It’s a remarkable project and one that the university’s president was happy to share with business leaders from Prince Albert on Thursday.

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Dr. Jacqueline Ottmann, a member of Fishing Lake First Nation, was the guest speaker at a luncheon organized by the Prince Albert Chamber of Commerce.

(Derek Craddock/paNOW Staff)

During her presentation, she talked about the history of the university from a small school that began in 1976 to multiple campuses including Prince Albert and more than 5,600 alumni.

When it came to finding ground for their future campus, the university decided on the spot near the hospital and across the road from the Prince Albert Grand Council and Joseph Custer Reserve. It’s also close to the Alfred Jenkins Field House and three apartment buildings currently under construction.

Ottmann said it made sense to put the campus on that land.

“When you consider that we have a predominantly female student population and many are single parents, then you look at the entire environment and that location made sense for a future campus.”

In January, Prince Albert City Council unanimously threw its support behind a request from the FNUniv to transfer five acres of land for $1 for the campus.

“It’s a strong demonstration of economic reconciliation and partnering for the benefit of all people,” said Ottmann, recalling that moment.

Right now, there’s no official timeline as to when construction will start for the campus as the FNUniv is still waiting on approval for a grant through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) fund, which will cover around half of the $55 million build.

“We’re waiting to hear back and have been waiting for a few months now,” said Ottmann. “Once we do hear back, then we are shovel-ready and construction can begin fairly quickly and then we have a two-year timeline to complete the project.”

For Ottmann, seeing the university grow brings a huge sense of pride for her as she was one of the first students to graduate high school from her community.

In 2021, about 45 per cent of Indigenous students in the province graduated within three years after entering Grade 10 and 62 per cent of them graduated within five years.

The three-year graduation rate for non-Indigenous students was 89 per cent and the five-year rate was 92 per cent.

Despite the numbers, Ottmann is hopeful that the First Nations University will play a key role in making sure more Indigenous youth succeed at the secondary and post-secondary levels.

“What we strive to do is create a bridge between our high schools and our university,” she said. “We have student recruiters that go into our First Nation communities and into town and city high schools, not only to introduce our university but to inspire students to consider careers and to consider careers in any university. It’s sparking the imagination and desire of Indigenous youth.”

-With files from The Canadian Press