Doyle Anderson is the new FNUniv president

The First Nations University of Canada is ready to move in a new direction

Martin Weaver
News Editor

The First Nations University of Canada will have a new face leading the way this fall.

Doyle Anderson was chosen to be the new president of FNUniv and is to start in his new position on Aug. 2.

“I am deeply honoured and grateful for the opportunity to return to this great institution to serve as the next president of First Nations University of Canada,” said Anderson in a May 16 press release. “It instilled in me the passion for Indigenous higher education and the knowledge required to build and expand Indigenous higher education programs and services across the Indian country.”

Prior to assuming his duties as president of FNUniv, Anderson served as the executive director of the Indigenous Nations institute and the director of the Native American business administration program at Idaho State University.

Anderson values FNUniv’s sense of tradition and focused education for First Nations people.

“I pay tribute to our elders and our ancestors, whose vast traditional knowledge provides a foundation for all of this university’s programs and services,” he said. “Traditional knowledge systems and Western European knowledge systems compliment and strenghten each other for the benefit of First Nations, Canada, and the global community.”

Anderson will be replacing Shauneen Pete, who became the interim president of First Nations University in the midst of many controversies that put the institution’s future at risk.

Formerly the vice-president of academics, Pete was able to steer the university out of its darkest days and towards a path of promise and stability.

Popular among students, Pete fought with them to save the school. She demonstrated her leadership along the way.

Consequently, many were disappointed to find out that she was not selected for the presidency, despite helping the institution restructure after the collapse.

However, First Nations University is confident that it will be able to move in the right direction.

Anderson acknowledges the people who helped save the institution and credits them for where the institution stands today.

“I pay tribute to the students and those who supported them in their campaign to save First Nations University of Canada,” he said. “The students of the First Nations University of Canada and their passion for this university and what it represents were a major factor in my decision to accept this position. I am excited and honoured to be able to work with them to take their places as our leaders of tomorrow”.

So, as First Nations University of Canada gets set to celebrate its 35th anniversary in the upcoming year, it will see itself heading in a new direction.