Indigenous students at the First Nations University of Canada are expressing frustration with the University of Regina Student Union (URSU). Students told CTV News that URSU charges them for a health and dental plan without clear information about how to opt out, even though First Nations and Inuit people receive coverage through the federal Non-Insured Health Benefits Program covered by treaty rights. Students also pointed out that URSU’s Indigenous student representative seat has been vacant for three years. “It’s very concerning that we’re having to pay for something that our ancestors had paid for time and time again in the past to get to get us to where we are today,” said FNU student Amanda Leader. “Then for us to be excluded further here from student unions who are supposed to be for students is egregious.” After the CTV News article was published, CBC reported that the URegina terminated its fee collection agreement with the organization, having lost confidence in the students’ union.
