Vancouver Information and Newspaper

SASKATOON – Saskatchewan native leaders say they have agreed to hand over financial control of the troubled First Nations University of Canada to the University of Regina.

Chief Guy Lonechild of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations says the decision could prompt Ottawa to restore some federal funding to the school.

Last month the federal and Saskatchewan governments cut $12.5 million in annual grants to First Nations University.

The school faces allegations of financial mismanagement and one of its former vice-presidents has been charged with fraud.

Lonechild says he is heading to Ottawa later this week for a meeting with Indian and Northern Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl over the future of the university.

A consultants’ report released last month recommended the school should become openly financially accountable and be run by people who are not in a conflict of interest.