In May 1976, the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations entered into a federation agreement with the University of Regina, creating the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College (SIFC). The Agreement provided for an independently administered university-college, the mission of which is to serve the academic, cultural and spiritual needs of First Nations’ students.

On June 21, 2003, the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College officially changed its name to the First Nations University of Canada.

When SIFC first opened its doors in the fall of 1976, it had nine students and offered the following programs; Indian Studies, Indian Languages, Indian Teacher Education, Social Work, Fine Arts (Indian Art, Indian Art History) and Social Sciences.

Since then, enrolment has steadily grown, and the First Nations University of Canada now maintains an average annual enrolment over 1200. One quarter of our students come from outside Saskatchewan and represent every province and territory in Canada. Our alumni base has grown to over 2500.

The university offers programs and services on three campuses: Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert (Northern Campus). Within the university, there are 10 academic departments and/or schools that offer a variety of programs and courses. Our Northern Campus (Prince Albert) maintains the responsibility of coordinating and delivering community based and distance education programs. The Indigenous Centre for International Development (ICID) maintains our international partnerships with other countries for university programming.

The university has increasingly moved into higher-cost professional programs in health and science. These have been developed in consultation with First Nation communities who identify areas of demand. The programs have often involved close collaboration with academic and government partners. In 1996, the National School of Dental Therapy program became part of the university. And, in the past three years, our university has delivered post-registered nursing programs in advanced practice primary care nursing and the First Nations community nursing program.

The university has also begun to expand its range of graduate programs. This includes a special case Masters program in Arts and Science, a First Nations Masters in Business Administration and a Masters of Aboriginal Social Work Program in Aboriginal Therapy.

Since 1983, the university has entered into over twenty-five agreements with Indigenous peoples’ institutions in Canada, South and Central America and Asia and signed agreements with academic institutions in Siberia (Russia), Inner Mongolia (China) and Tanzania.

The university has been a member of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC) since 1994.