Schools team up for degree

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The First Nations University of Canada (FNUC), the University of Regina and the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST) are joining together to offer a joint degree program in resource and environmental studies.

Students enrolled in the bachelor of arts degree program will spend the first two years of their studies at SIAST's Woodland Campus in Prince Albert, earning a diploma in resource and environmental law. They will then transfer to the FNUC/University of Regina, where they will continue their studies for another two-and-a half years, after which they will have earned their degree.

"The resource and environmental studies degree program will provide courses that incorporate the historical, cultural and traditional overview of Aboriginal people," said FNUC president Dr. Eber Hampton. "A basic knowledge and understanding of this is important because many of our Aboriginal communities reside in or near our national and provincial parks."

"By working together the University of Regina, First Nations University and SIAST have been able to produce a program that none of us would have been able to carry out on our own," added Dr. Robin Fisher, dean of the faculty of arts at the University of Regina. "This makes us greater than the sum of our parts. It enables us to bring a First Nations perspective to resource management through a program that will help provide jobs for First Nations people."