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Cree School Board Highlights 2023-2024

This year has been filled with inspiring achievements and significant progress in our mission to provide quality education rooted in Eeyou values. From innovative educational programs to community-driven initiatives, we are proud to share the stories that highlight our dedication to empowering students and fostering a supportive learning environment. Join us as we celebrate the milestones and successes that have shaped this academic year, and look forward to continuing our journey of growth and excellence.

Cree School Board’s 5th Education Symposium

We were thrilled to host the 5th Education Symposium on Tuesday, October 17, 2023. All CSB teachers were invited to join the event so they can hear valuable insights, enhance the symposium, and overall, have a memorable and exciting experience together.

We asked Deputy Director General of Pedagogy, Deborah House-Cox for her experience of the event:

The 5th Education Symposium was a major undertaking, and it was well worth the effort. Teachers were able to gather, discuss with colleagues, share their knowledge and learn from one another, said Deborah, Most teachers went back to their schools energized and excited to make things happen! Thank you to all those who organized this awesome event!

The Education Symposium is a tri-annual event hosted by the Cree School Board which thus far has had tremendous success and a positive impact on the schools, teachers, and students.


Cree Language Mentorship Initiative for Pre-K and Kindergarten Classrooms

Introducing the Cree Language Mentorship Initiative

In June 2019, a language assessment study was initiated within the Youth Sector, following a directive from Council and with sponsorship from the Director General. From this assessment, the findings were alarming, providing concrete evidence that validated our concerns of the Cree language. Council and Senior Management unanimously agreed that action is required.

We are proud to announce that we successfully launched the Cree School Board Cree Language Mentorship Initiative for Pre-K and Kindergarten Students during the 2023-2024 school year!
This important initiative was aimed at enhancing the teaching support of the Oral Cree Language in our Pre-K and Kindergarten classrooms.

In our plan to accomplish and be successful with this initiative, we have gathered Cree Mentors, many of whom are retired teachers with experience within the Cree School Board. We were careful in ensuring all Pre-K and Kindergarten teachers will have access to a mentor.

We are excited about the possibilities this initiative brings and look forward to collaborating with all the schools to strengthen the Cree Language in our Eeyou Education system. Let’s all work together in preserving our Cree language and Culture for the future of our children.

ᒋᓇᔅᑯᒧᑎᓐ chinaskumutin for your support!


Student & Parent Engagement Community Tours

Your School, Your Community & Your Future!

Beginning in March of 2024, members of the Cree School Board began the community tour! The goal of the tour was to enhance student and parent engagement within our schools, as well as conducting a review of our programs and services in collaboration with school staff and administrators.

We felt that gathering feedback from students, parents, staff, and administrators would be essential to improving the school environments in which our students can learn. By incorporating their perspectives, getting them involved, we believe we will enhance the school’s overall performance from this engagement.

Nearing the end of May 2024, we successfully completed our Community Tours in your communities. Upon completion, we gathered data from our focus groups and from there we will develop a strategic action plan for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year and future school years. We feel confident that from this initiative, we will see a positive change in student and parent engagement within our schools and ensure our school staff receive the necessary support and resources for our students.

2024 Community Tour Dates
  • March 12 - Wemindji
  • March 13 - Eastmain
  • March 14 – Nemaska
  • April 8 - Oujé-Bougoumou
  • April 9 - Mistissini Elementary
  • April 10 - Mistissini High School
  • April 22 - Whapmagoostui
  • April 23 – Chisasibi Elementary
  • April 24 – Chisasibi High School
  • April 25 – Waswanipi
  • May 21 – Waskaganish


2024 Teacher Recruitment

On March 26 & 27 2024, Human Resources hosted the CSB Teacher Recruitment & Interview Event at the Delta Hotel in downtown Ottawa. The Teacher Recruitment Event is an annual event that HR plans and organizes for teacher candidates to learn about the board, the communities in which the board serves, and to interact with elder representative and knowledge keepers at the event.

During this two-day event, school committee members, community education administrators, and principals from our schools had the opportunity to interview with pre-selected teacher candidates. There were over 50 interviews conducted. One special aspect of this event was that it was a hybrid event, meaning that teacher candidates had the option to participate virtually via Pheedloop or in-person. As a result of this, a live-streamed presentation of the event was later accessible to candidates during and after the event!

The next CSB Teacher Recruitment & Interview Event is scheduled to be held in Montreal, Qc. on February 25-27, 2025.


Celebrating Cree Teacher Training Program success

This summer 35 students in the Cree Teacher Training Program graduated from McGill University. The program is a collaboration with the Office of First Nations and Inuit Education, in McGill University’s Faculty of Education. The Cree School Board’s Department of Higher Learning and McGill work in partnership to deliver community-based teacher education programs and professional development to iiyiyiu aschii.

Students in the Cree Teacher Training Program graduated from the following programs:
Certificate in Aboriginal Literacy Education

The Certificate in Indigenous Language and Literacy Education is a 30-credit program designed for students who want to deepen their understanding of indigenous languages, particularly in their written form.

  • CHISASIBI Queenie Scipio.
Certificate in Education, Language and Culture

The Certificate in Education, Language and Culture is a 60-credit program which offers valuable insights into Indigenous education and contributes to fostering culturally responsive teaching practices.

  • CHISASIBI Priscilla Gilpin, Christine Kitty, Melvin Pachanos, Lena Pashagumskum, Adonis Rabbitskin-Bullfrog, Margaret Spencer.
  • EASTMAIN Alice Gilpin, Anita Mayappo, Cheryl Mayappo, Patricia Moses.
  • MISTISSINI Hattie Brien, Juliette Brien, Rene Shecapio, Victoria Bobbish, Mary Matoush.
  • OUJE-BOUGOUMOU Louise Bosum (Capassisit), Jody Miamscum (Coonish).
  • WASKAGANISH Henry Wischee.
  • WEMINDJI Pauline R. Georgekish.
  • WHAPMAGOOSTUI Geraldina Herodier-Alisappi, Andrea Moar, Linda George, Louise George.
Bachelor of Education, Kindergarten and Elementary Education

The Bachelor of Education Kindergarten and Elementary Education program is a four-year program which prepares students to teach children between the ages of 5 and 11 years (kindergarten and elementary school).

  • CHISASIBI Anita Angatookaluk, Heather House, Marc Scipio-Beauregard.
  • MISTISSINI Hattie Petawabano.
  • WASKAGANISH Twyla Diamond, Constance Esau, Dylanna Hester, Alexandra Katapatuk.
  • WASWANIPI Irene Blacksmith, Jonathan Longchap.
  • WHAPMAGOOSTUI Seanna Gilpin.

Twyla  Diamond  Graduation

Twyla Diamond graduated from the program with a Bachelor of Education degree. Her hard work and dedication earned her a spot on the Dean’s Honour List, a special recognition for top students. Congratulations Twyla on your achievement!


Cree School Board and John Abbott College celebrate 15 students who completed Iyeskuwiiu Springboard to DCS Program

The Cree School Board and John Abbott College celebrated the third cohort of the Iyeskuwiiu Springboard to Degree of College Studies (DCS) Program, honouring 15 Cree students for completing the one-year program rooted in iiyiyiu cultural values.

Springboard To  Dc S  Grad 2024

The completion ceremony, held at John Abbott College on May 24, 2024, featured notable speakers and highlighted the collaborative efforts in providing in-community post-secondary education. The event showcased iiyiyiuiyihtiwin (Cree culture), education success, and student dedication, with a livestream available for remote viewing. The ceremony emphasized the program's significance in preparing students for further education and highlighted the value of culturally relevant education in empowering our communities.


Higher Learning and Post-Secondary Student Services (PSSS) welcome new students to Springboard Programs 

New students starting their journey in the Iyeskuwiiu Springboard to DCS and Springboard to Nursing programs at John Abbott College were given a tour of the West Island campus and PSSS facilities in downtown Montreal in August.

Cs B  Highlights 2023 2024  Pss S  Springboard  Tour

Sarah Dow-Imrie (left), Program Development Officer in Higher Learning and Darryl Diamond (centre), Student Technician at PSSS with Iyeskuwiiu Springboard to DCS and Springboard to Nursing students.

We wish them the best as they continue on their learning journey.

Learn more about the Springboard Programs here.


Celebrating resilience: Adult & Higher Learning honours SAES graduates from 2019-2023 in special ceremony

On October 19, 2023, Adult & Higher Learning hosted a special ceremony to honour the achievements of 87 Sabtuan Adult Education Services (SAES) students who graduated from 2019 to 2023. Due to COVID-related disruptions, earlier graduation ceremonies were postponed, making this in-person celebration a particularly meaningful occasion.

Students successfully graduated from the following SAES programs
  • Accounting
  • Carpentry
  • Construction Business Management
  • General Education
  • Institutional and Home Care Assistance
  • Northern Building Maintenance
  • Pharmacy Technical Assistance
  • Professional cooking
  • Recreation Leadership
  • Secretarial Studies
  • Starting a Business
Graduates by community
  • Chisasibi 19
  • Mistissini 17
  • Nemaska 3
  • Waskaganish 4
  • Waswanipi 17
  • Wemindji 24
  • Whapmagoostui 3
45 graduating students from 2023 cohort