FIRST NATIONS UNIVERSITY OF CANADA
Dr. Shalene Jobin announced as New VP, Academic at First Nations University of Canada

The First Nations University has announced its new Vice President of Academics. As of June 1^st, 2023, Dr. Shalene Wuttunee Jobin will be taking over the role from the interim Dr. Jesse Archibald.  

Dr. Jobin comes to the FNUniv from the University of Alberta, Faculty of Native Studies.  

"I'm really excited to work or a university that belongs to First Nations (peoples)," she says.  

Dr. Jobin grew up in the Edmonton area, she says, in the Treaty 6 territory, but on the Alberta side.' She is a proud member of Red Pheasant Cree Nation in Saskatchewan. Her mother is Cree, from the Wuttunee family, and her father is Métis, (Jobin).  

Dr. Jobin's research focuses on Indigenous governance and Indigenous economic systems. She holds the prestigious Canada Research Chair (in Indigenous Governance at the Faculty of Native Studies) and was the founding Director of the Indigenous Governance program at the University of Alberta. She recently published a book titled, Upholding Indigenous Economic Relationships: Nehiyawak Narratives - published by UBC Press. 

She has moved up the academic world from undergraduate, to masters, to PhD, so she understands the university systems and the academic world, says the President of FNUniv, Dr. Jacqueline Ottmann. Dr. Ottmann says she brings a Cree perspective, and she understands and privileges indigenous knowledge systems.  

"It is important to recognize Dr. Jobin's roots in Saskatchewan," says Dr. Ottmann, "She participates in ceremonies, and works with Indigenous communities, and prioritizes community-based research."  

Dr. Jobin says that one of the teachings she carries with her in her new role is one of Indigenous mentorship.  

"In our Indigenous societies, the Older ones would observe those gifts in the younger ones and help nurture those gifts for their future roles in their society."   

"It has been such a privilege to be a teacher, and an educator, and be able to see my students, see their gifts, and see the lightbulb of different things that they are passionate about - turn on - and then help support them in nurturing their gifts." 

Having women in senior leadership at the FNUniv is important, says Dr. Ottmann because 

it demonstrates the prominent role that Indigenous women have had in education.  

"It sends a strong message about the capabilities and limitlessness of women," says Dr. Ottmann, "It provides hope and inspiration."  

The Vice President of Academics at the FNUniv is responsible for academic programming, and research areas. Dr. Jobin will work with faculty, help strengthen academic and research programming, while also working with University of Regina, and meeting the responsibilities FNUniv has to the province of Saskatchewan, and the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN), and Indigenous Services Canada.  

"For us, our foundation are our Indigenous knowledge systems," says Dr. Ottmann.  

"So, that positions us in a very unique way, within the Canadian post-secondary landscape. We are already an Indigenized-Indigenous university, so our path forward looks different than most universities."   

Dr. Jobin has won many accolades and awards in her career including the 2020 Community Scholar Award from the University of Alberta, and the 2022 Distinguished Indigenous Alumni Award from the University of Victoria.  

She holds a PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies, in Political Science and Indigenous Studies, from the University of Alberta, aa Master's degree in Indigenous Governance, from the University of Victoria, and a Bachelor of Commerce degree.  

Dr. Ottmann says the future goals of the vice presidency will focus on strengthening and expanding programming and options for all students, to ensure that our programming supports the development of Indigenous communities, to keep inspiring faculty to motivate students through  their teaching, to encourage meaningful research projects, and to have members of the university community share with the world the good  work that happens at First Nations University of Canada through publishing.  

"Indigenous voices really need to be heard throughout Canada, in all areas," says Dr. Ottmann. 

"Our stories need to be centred and uplifted - and I know this is something that Dr. Jobin can help us do."