'This is the perfect time for you to be our leader': First Nations University of Canada welcomes new President.
The First Nations University of Canada welcomed its new president, Jacqueline Ottmann, who’s originally from Fishing Lake First Nation.
She started her educational career as a teacher over 30 years ago and has finally worked her way back from Alberta to her homeland.
“I’m feeling gratitude, I’m feeling excitement and I’m very ready to step into this presidency,” she said after the ceremony.
Ottmann said one of the primary goals she will be focusing on is expanding the university’s curriculum in several topics with the sciences being a priority.
“So, there’s Indigenous perspectives, philosophies, practices related to sciences,” Ottmann said. “So that will be important for us to evolve and develop even further.”
During the induction ceremony, Chief of Cowessess First Nation Cadmus Delorme spoke about the importance of the FNU as an institution and how its work is more important now than ever.
“The last four months have been pretty tough on Indigenous people in this country… this is the perfect time for you to be our leader of the First Nations University of Canada, because this institution is going to lead Canada. Every proud Canadian should be walking through these hallways to know that truth.”
Moving forward, Ottmann hopes to bring more attention to the university in order to spread its message and its knowledge.
“We’d also would like to draw attention to the First Nations University of Canada nationally and internationally,” she said. “There aren’t too many universities that have Indigenous knowledge as a foundation to the essence of the institution.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Florida deputies who fatally shot U.S. airman burst into wrong apartment, attorney says
Deputies responding to a disturbance call at a Florida apartment complex burst into the wrong unit and fatally shot a Black U.S. Air Force airman who was home alone when they saw he was armed with a gun, an attorney for the man's family said Wednesday.
Air Canada ranks near bottom on customer satisfaction: survey
Air Canada ranks below most other major North American airlines on customer satisfaction, with airfares a particular sore point, according to a new survey.