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ᑲᐅᒡ ᑕᒋᐧᑳᑦ ᒋᔅᑯᑕᒪᒉᐧᐃᓐ ᑌᐦᑕᐳᐧᐃᓂᒋᒫᐤ

Council of Commissioners

The Cree School Board is governed by an elected Council of Commissioners that has the ultimate responsibility to provide preschool, elementary, and secondary education to the youth of iiyiyiu aschii, community-based continuing education, and vocational training to adults, and supports Cree adults in their pursuit of post-secondary education. 

Council Meetings

The Council of Commissioners (CC) meets a least five times during each school year.
Locations for meetings are determined by the Council.

Upcoming CC Meetings

Upcoming EC Meetings

June 21

Indigenous Peoples' Day

On June 21, we enthusiastically celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day. This day recognizes our ability to gather, learn and flourish through the guidance of our Elders, as we celebrate our language, culture, traditions, and communities. We celebrate this day fully mindful that we remain in strength despite colonial and assimilative actions and policies, despite the dark history of residential schools and the 60's scoop, despite being written out of history books, and despite the many ways that we have been dehumanized and disrespected over the course of centuries.

Chairperson

Dr. Sarah Pashagumskum, Chairperson

Dr. Sarah Pashagumskum holds a PhD in Educational Success for First Nations Students, a Master’s degree in Education focused on Community & Parent Involvement, and two Bachelor degrees as well as certificates at the post-secondary level.

Since 2015, she has served as the executive director at Aanischaaukamikw Cree Cultural Institute in Oujé-Bougoumou, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Museums Association.

She was elected to the Office of the Chairperson of the Cree School Board for two terms, one in July 2018 and the other in July 2021.

Commissioners

September 2023

Top row: Abraham Jolly (Mistissini), Anthony Moses (Waskaganish), Noreen Moar (Nemaska), Jasmine Namagoose (Eastmain), Sammy Blackned (Wemindji).
Bottom row: Robin Pachanos (Chisasibi), Emily Gull-Mianscum (Waswanipi), Dr. Sarah Pashagumskum (Chairperson), Daisy Shecapio (Oujé-Bougoumou), Rebecca Masty-Kawapit (Whapmagoostui).
Missing: Adam Enosse (MoCreebec Observer), Betty Trapper (Washaw-Sibi Observer).

What is the Council of Commissioners?

The Council comprises of nine community elected representatives and a regionally elected Chairperson. All terms for the elected officials are three years. Two non-voting members with observer status, are appointed by the Washaw Sibi and MoCreebec band councils, and also sit on the Council.

Current Commissioners

Updated: October 25, 2024
  • Dr. Sarah Pashagumskum, Chairperson
  • Daisy Shecapio, Vice-Chairperson, Oujé-Bougoumou
  • Jasmine Namagoose, Third Executive Member, Eastmain
  • Gillian Blackned, Wemindji
  • Emily Gull-Mianscum, Waswanipi
  • Kaitlynn Hester-Moses, Waskaganish
  • Christa Bobbish, Whapmagoostui
  • Abraham Jolly, Mistissini
  • Noreen Moar, Nemaska
  • Robin Pachanos, Chisasibi
  • Adam Enosse, MoCreebec Observer
  • Betty Trapper, Washaw-Sibi Observer

What does the Council of Commissioners do?

  • Governs the Cree School Board (CSB) on behalf of the people of iiyiyiu aschii.
  • Monitors the strategic direction of the CSB.
  • Guides the CSB regarding the values and educational needs of our people.
  • Measures success using a thoughtful and systematic process.
  • Maintains relationships between the CSB with the local, regional, and provincial governance entities.

Subcommittees

Executive Committee (EC)

The Executive Committee meets regularly during the school year in order to facilitate day-to-day business. Its functions include approval of capital projects, personnel plans, and labour relations settlements.

pdf Schedule of Meetings 2024-2025

Current Members
  • Sarah Pashagumskum, Chairperson
  • Daisy Shecapio, Vice-Chairperson
  • Jasmine Namagoose, Third Executive Member
  • Caroline Mark, Director General, non-voting

Governance Committee

The Governance Development Committee supports the Council in its governance process. As part of its responsibilities:

  • it makes sure Council is acting consistently with its policies,
  • provides new Council members with an orientation to the governance process, and
  • ensures policies are constantly reviewed and revised.

pdf Governance Framework and Terms of Reference

Current Members
  • Sarah Pashagumskum, Chairperson
  • Robin Pachanos
  • Noreen Moar
  • (vacant)

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee assists the Council in carrying out its monitoring responsibility. Among its duties, it makes sure Council is kept well informed on all CSB financial and auditing matters, in compliance with Governance Policies, as well as acting as liaison with the external auditor.

pdf Audit Committee Charter

Current Members
  • Sarah Pashagumskum, Chairperson
  • Noreen Moar
  • Emily Gull-Mianscum
  • (vacant)
Make a Difference
Become a Cree School Board Commissioner

All Commissioners are expected to:

  • Attend all meetings.
  • Prepare for all meetings accordingly.
  • Participate in educational sessions.
  • Attend local School Committee meetings as a non-voting member.
  • Participate in any dialogue concerning governance matters.
  • Sit on assigned council committees and regional groups.

Characteristics of a Commissioner

  • Passionate about the role that Eeyou Education plays in creating a strong Cree Nation.
    Willingness to discuss education with your fellow community members.
  • Honest with strong moral principles.
    Decision-making ability based on values, for the greater good of the Cree Nation, our future generations, and with thoughtful discussion and consultation.

Eligibility

  • A Cree member of the community you would like to represent.
  • Need to be 18 years old or older.
  • Have no criminal record or offenses.

The time is to act now!

As a Commissioner, your voice will shape the future of our Cree Nation.

  • Bring broad educational issues from your community to the Council.
  • Participate actively in Council discussion and decision-making.
  • Make decisions in the best interests of our people.

For more information, please contact:

Doreen Blackned, Secretary General

418-923-2764 #1218
514-604-9400

Elections are held every year, in the summer. Chairperson and commissioners have three-year mandate. To ensure continuity, elections are divided into three groups.

Group 2

Next Election: 2025
  • Chisasibi
  • Oujé-Bougoumou
  • Nemaska

Group 3

Next Election: 2026
  • Eastmain
  • Mistissini
  • Waswanipi

Group 1

Next Election: 2027
  • Chairperson
  • Wemindji
  • Waskaganish
  • Whapmagoostui

Commissioners

It is permitted to follow the customs of the Band for voting, rather than the election procedure prescribed under sections 2 to 25. O.C. 722-85, s. 26.