Dr. Jacqueline Ottmann was formally installed as president of First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv) on October 15, amid drumming and the smell of burning sage and sweetgrass.

“There aren’t too many universities that have Indigenous knowledge as a foundation to the essence of the institution,” Ottmann says. Although her term started September 7, she was officially recognized as president October 15. Photo by Rose Mansbridge-Goldie

Ottman, whose Anishnaabe name is Misiaykimigookpaypomoytung, was celebrated by Métis Elder Maria Campbell, who talked about how fitting it is to have a female education leader.

“It is our women who are the first educators of our people,” Campbell said to a small gathering in the university’s rotunda.

Campbell recalled the cultural songs women sang at home when she was growing up. 

“When we were children there was always a swing in our houses where a baby would sleep.”

Campbell remembers children often sharing a room with an aunt or grandmother who would sing songs to them—their first education in their culture.

“We are acknowledging those women today by recognizing a woman as president of the First Nations University of Canada,” Campbell said.

It is a step toward, “putting things to right among us that were torn apart by colonialism,” she said.

“Having a woman in this role will change everything for us and our future generations. 

“This appointment means change and that means we have to chase out the colonizer in us,” Campbell said. 

“Dr. Ottmann is strong, courageous, gentle, kind, smart and she’s not in a rush, she will take her time.”

Cadmus Delorme, Chief of Cowessess First Nation, which is Saulteaux like Ottman’s home reserve of Fishing Lake First Nation northeast of Yorkton, also gave Ottman a vote of confidence.

“This is the perfect time for you to be our president,” he said.

“I came to this university in 2008, excited, a rez kid—I didn’t really know where I was going but I knew I was destined for this place. This tipi behind me was my main classroom. The Elders I got to sit with and learn from are what guided me to be the leader of my community today,” he said.

Delorme said he followed his mother’s footsteps by attending the university and he hopes his daughter will be the third generation of his family to graduate from FNUniv.

Ottman replaces interim president Bob Kayeas. She left the position she held since 2017 as  Vice Provost Indigenous Engagement at the University of Saskatchewan for the new job.

Ottman said her top priorities will be evolving Indigenous science practices, philosophies and perspectives but she also wants to raise the profile of FNUniv nationally and internationally. 

“There aren’t too many universities that have Indigenous knowledge as a foundation to the essence of the institution,” she said.

The happy day included performances from the Red Dog Dancers, the drumming group Red Dog and nehiyaw and Dene hip-hop artists Eekwol and T-Rhyme. 

FNUniv students wrapped Dr. Ottmann in a starblanket, which the audience was told, acknowledged the ancestors that live in the stars and the buffalo that had a home on Treaty 4 Territory.