M.A. Begay II & Associates, LLC 3421 West Foxes Meadow Email: [email protected] Drive Tuscon, AZ 85745 USA First Nations University of Canada Governance Plan First Nations University of Canada Governance Plan An Opportunity to Lead the World in First Nations Higher Education MAB II & Associates, LLC Page ii 2/17/10 . 1 Table of Contents. 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS..........................................................................................................................III 2 INDEX OF FIGURES..............................................................................................................................VII 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY..........................................................................................................................9 3.1.1 Overall Recommendation:...............................................................................................................................11 3.1.1.1 The Nominating Committee......................................................................................................................................................12 3.1.1.2 The Board .........................................................................................................................................................................................12 3.1.1.3 Board Principles and Subcommittees ..................................................................................................................................14 3.1.1.4 Board Compensation ...................................................................................................................................................................16 3.1.1.5 Board Terms....................................................................................................................................................................................16 3.1.1.6 Lead Governance Officer ............................................................................................................................................................16 3.1.1.7 Board Secretary..............................................................................................................................................................................16 3.1.1.8 Board Relationship to FNUniv Administration ................................................................................................................17 3.1.2 Institutional Management..............................................................................................................................18 3.1.2.1 Stability..............................................................................................................................................................................................18 3.1.2.2 Demarcation points between the Board of Governors and FNUNIV Administration......................................19 3.1.2.3 Policy and Process Protections against future “white collar crimes”.....................................................................19 3.1.3 Transparency........................................................................................................................................................20 3.1.3.1 Vice President for Communications:.....................................................................................................................................20 3.1.3.2 Conflicts of Interest:.....................................................................................................................................................................20 3.1.3.3 Financial Transparency:.............................................................................................................................................................21 3.1.3.4 Financial Analysis: ........................................................................................................................................................................21 3.1.3.5 Summation .......................................................................................................................................................................................21 3.1.4 Recommended Actions from an Institutional Governance and Financial Perspective.........22 3.1.5 Commendations...................................................................................................................................................22 3.1.5.1 The Elders.........................................................................................................................................................................................22 3.1.5.2 Culture and Language Focus.....................................................................................................................................................22 3.1.5.3 The Students....................................................................................................................................................................................22 3.1.5.4 The community ..............................................................................................................................................................................23 3.1.5.5 The Board .........................................................................................................................................................................................23 3.2 NEXT STEPS ................................................................................................................................................................. 23 3.2.1 Board Redevelopment.......................................................................................................................................23 3.2.2 Establish a Capable Institution of Governance......................................................................................23 3.2.3 Creation of an Elder’s Council .......................................................................................................................24 3.2.4 Integration of Core Values into School Governance ............................................................................24 3.2.5 Documentation of Ethical Standards of Behavior based upon Mission and Core Values....24 3.2.6 Creation of a University Council...................................................................................................................25 3.2.7 Establish Alternative Sources of Revenue ...............................................................................................25 3.2.8 Development/Alumni Department..............................................................................................................25 3.2.9 Description of Potential ...................................................................................................................................25 4 REPORT .................................................................................................................................................. 26 4.1 INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................................................ 26 4.2 RESEARCH DESIGN ..................................................................................................................................................... 28 4.3 BACKGROUND .............................................................................................................................................................. 29 4.3.1 Community.............................................................................................................................................................30 MAB II & Associates, LLC Page iii 2/17/10 4.3.2 University................................................................................................................................................................31 4.3.3 Events.......................................................................................................................................................................33 4.3.4 Challenges .............................................................................................................................................................43 4.4 CURRENT ENVIRONMENT.......................................................................................................................................... 46 4.4.1 Working Relationships with the University of Regina........................................................................47 4.4.2 Working Relationships within FNUniv......................................................................................................47 4.4.3 The Saskatchewan Context.............................................................................................................................48 4.4.4 Funding ...................................................................................................................................................................49 4.4.5 Financial Management.....................................................................................................................................50 4.5 KEY FACTORS IN THE SUCCESS OF GOVERNANCE AT FIRST NATIONS UNIVERSITY OF CANADA................. 51 4.5.1 Jurisdiction.............................................................................................................................................................51