CSB celebrates high school graduates on their success

The Cree School Board would like to congratulate 79 students who earned their Secondary School Diploma during the 2021-2022 school year.

The 2021-2022 school year was challenging for many students, but we are happy to announce that 34% of students enrolled in Secondary V earned their Secondary School Diploma, largely to the commitment of our students and the ongoing support from the parents, guardians, and teachers. Thank you!

“We are proud of our graduates who have persevered throughout the pandemic to finish strong and carry on with their educational and life journeys“, said Kim Quinn, Director of School Operations.

Graduation Ceremonies Dates

• Friday, August 19, 2022 - Waapihtiiwewan School (Oujé-Bougoumou)
• Saturday, August 20, 2022 - Voyageur Memorial High School (Mistissini)
• Saturday, August 20, 2022 - École Willie J. Happyjack Memorial School (Waswanipi)
• Friday, August 26, 2022 - Wabannutao Eeyou School (Eastmain)
• Friday, August 26, 2022 - Luke Mettaweskum School (Nemaska)
• Friday, August 26, 2022 - École Wiinibekuu School (Waskaganish)
• Saturday, August 27, 2022 - Maquatua Eeyou School (Wemindji)
• Friday, September 9, 2022 - Badabin Eeyou School (Whapmagoostui)
• Friday, September 16, 2022 - James Bay Eeyou School (Chisasibi)

Note: Dates may vary from when this story is published. Schools will update locally.

Secondary 5 Graduates

While most communities had a few graduates, some schools with a larger population still had the highest number of graduates, like Chisasibi, with 18 graduates, and Waskaganish, with 16 graduates.

“It was an unprecedented experience for our students, families, and school teams to shift between in person and online instruction over the last few years,” Quinn added.

For the 2021-2022 school year, the overall success rate for all Cree schools was 34 per cent. In comparison, last school year’s Secondary 5 graduation rate was at 90 per cent, making it a decrease of 56%.

“Working together, we are able to celebrate their success today, as well as our students who are close to also graduating,” said Quinn, “We are continuing to support you now and look forward to celebrating with you soon.”

WOTP Graduates

The Work-Oriented Training Path (WOTP) received 14 Cree youth graduates for the 2021-2022 school year. High school students from Badabin Eeyou School (Whapmagoostui), James Bay Eeyou School (Chisasibi), Maquatua School (Wemindji), Wiinibekuu School (Waskaganish), Luke Mettaweskum School (Nemaska), Voyageur Memorial School (Mistissini), and Willie J. Happyjack (Waswanipi) were among the schools who participated in the work/study program.

The WOTP incorporates two separate programs for each student, Pre-Work Training and Training for Semi-Skilled Trade. WOTP provides an alternative path at the student’s level aimed at developing autonomy, responsibility, and success for students who are struggling within the General Education path.

*While the WOTP had 14 graduates for the 2021-2022 school year, the WOTP student enrollment from the school year had a total of 25 students in the Pre-Work Training and 61 students in the Training for Semi-Skilled Trade. These students are expected to complete their programs in the following years. Eastmain and Oujé-Bougoumou are not expected to offer WOTP for the next school year.

Cree Leadership Congratulates Students

The Cree School Board Chairperson Dr. Sarah Pash and Cree Health Chairperson Bertie Wapachee congratulate students who graduated this year and share words of encouragement to all students.

Congratulations to the Class of 2022 and the students who completed the Work-Oriented Training Path! You did it!

[Update, August 29, 2022] Cree School Board updated this story, published on August 25, 2022, about the secondary 5 graduation rate and compared rates from the previous year and this year. Additional information was provided after the story's initial publication, and the piece has been updated.