The vice chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations defended his handling of the First Nations University of Canada at a press conference on Monday.

Morley Watson, who sits on the FNUC board, fired the school's vice president and suspended two other employees. He said a preliminary audit showed misuse of funds by ex-vice president Wes Stevenson. The RCMP is now conducting a forensic audit.

Watson also downplayed media reports that FNUC is facing a deficit of $3 million. "I don't think that there's any need for anyone to panic," he was quoted as saying.

Stevenson is refuting the allegations against him that were contained in a 131-page report. He contends that his firing was political in nature. He said FSIN made his brother sign an affidavit against him.

FNUC opened in 2003. It has campuses in Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert.

Get the Story:
Fired FSIN vice-chief defends university firings (The Saskatoon StarPhoenix 6/7)
Fired FNUC VP refutes allegations (The Saskatoon StarPhoenix 6/7)
Watson defends actions on FNUC (CBC 6/6)
Brother vs. brother in First Nations University scrap (CBC 6/3)

Relevant Links:
First Nations University - http://www.firstnationsuniversity.ca

Related Stories:
Memo warns First Nations University of $3M deficit (6/3)
Vice president of First Nations University fired (05/18)
First Nations University students, staff worried (04/15)
Suspensions at First Nations University criticized (02/25)
Officials suspended at First Nations University (2/22)