Our Organization
Youth
Adultᑲᐅᒡ 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.
Latest Meeting Highlights
Upcoming CC Meetings
Upcoming EC Meetings
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.
As Eeyouch, we have fought to remain sovereign and to maintain our Cree culture and language. We value the gifts of our ancestors and our relationship with the land. We hold the deepest gratitude for the work of former leaders whose commitment led us to self-determination in education, and our ability to use our education system as a means to maintain culture and language. At this time, and in the spirit of service to our children for generations to come, to the communities that we serve, to the Nation we are building, we commit the Cree School Board to centralizing Eeyou lihtuwin across our organizational structure.
Our Council of Commissioners prioritizes access to our Cree culture and language through our education system. Each commissioner brings passion, love and commitment for our culture and language. Our intent is to support our students in strengthening their Eeyou identity, so that they may obtain tools to confidently share our traditional values throughout their life journey.
We will move forward to: enhance the focus on learning Eeyou Ayimuwin to create strong Cree speakers; enhance the teaching and learning of Culture and tradition; ensure the place of cultural knowledge and Eeyou history across the curriculum and in all subject areas; focus on land-based education and authentic Eeyou learning experiences; and bring our Elders and our Youth together in the circle of learning.
On Indigenous People's Day, we re-commit to elevating Eeyou lihtuwin, to ensuring that our school system supports our children in the development of their identity and in finding strength in who they are as Eeyouch.
On behalf of the Council of Commissioners, Happy Indigenous Peoples' Day!
Dr. Sarah Pashagumskum,
Chairperson
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 three terms, in July 2018, July 2021 and re-elected by acclamation for her third term in September 2024.
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
- 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.
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Schedule of Meetings 2024-2025
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Schedule of Meetings 2025-2026
Current Members
- Dr. Sarah Pashagumskum, Chairperson
- Jasmine Namagoose, Vice-Chairperson
- Daisy Shecapio, 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.
Current Members
- Dr. Sarah Pashagumskum, Chairperson
- Noreen Moar, Nemaska
- Gillian Blackned, Wemindji
- Kaitlynn Hester-Moses, Waskaganish
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.
Current Members
- Dr. Sarah Pashagumskum, Chairperson
- Emily G. Mainscum, Waswanipi
- Noreen Blackned, Nemaska
- Christa Bobbish, Whapmagoostui
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.
Elections
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
- Chisasibi
- Oujé-Bougoumou
- Nemaska
Group 3
- Eastmain
- Mistissini
- Waswanipi
Group 1
- Chairperson
- Wemindji
- Waskaganish
- Whapmagoostui
Chairperson
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.