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ᐆᒉᐳᑯᒨ

Youth Education in Oujé-Bougoumou

November 11, 2025Eeyou Education Blog

Celebrating our iiyiyiu chiskutimaachaawin
On November 11, 2025, the Cree School Board honors and celebrates the 50th anniversary of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement (JBNQA)!

October 27, 2025Eeyou Education Blog

This year was marked by milestones that celebrate Cree language, culture, and educational success across iiyiyiu aschii. From the 3rd Language and Culture Symposium and the return of Cree language to Grade 1 classrooms, to vibrant events like the iinuu metawewinh Games and the Quebec Indigenous Science Fair, the Cree School Board continued to strengthen identity and learning. We also saw progress in teacher recruitment, adult education, and higher learning programs, alongside inspiring youth leadership initiatives. These highlights reflect our commitment to culturally grounded education and the empowerment of every learner.

August 22, 2025Eeyou Education Blog

Three schools and the Department of Higher Learning have launched new logos, giving students fresh symbols to represent their schools and education. Wemindji's Joy Ottereyes Rainbow Memorial School, Maquatua Eeyou School, and Whapmagoostui’s Badabin Eeyou School have launched new logos that reflect their schools and students.

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Upcoming Events

Elected

School Commissioner

Dinah Bosum ()

What does a commissioner do?

School Committee

Updated Oct. 29, 2025
  • Miranda Coonishish, Chairperson
  • Brenda St-Pierre, Vice-Chairperson
  • Makana Shecapio
  • Olivia Couchee-Salt
  • Simeon Dixon
  • Daisy Shecapio, Elder Representative
  • Alice Shecapio Blacksmith, Band Representative

About Waapihtiiwewan

Waapihtiiwewan School is a Pre-K to Secondary V school with a student population of about 162. Cree is taught from Pre-K to Secondary V. English (Second Language) is taught from Grade 1 through Secondary V. Every school follows the GVC (Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum). 

What most students look forward to is the “Cree Culture Class”, which is held one week each month. 

The location of the school is right at the center core of the community. The school has its own playground and a lot of room for the students to move around when they are outside. The Youth Center is beside our school and the Sports Complex is behind the school.

Looking for Adult Education in Oujé-Bougoumou? Click here.

Vision

Our goal is to encourage, promote and foster a community dedicated to student success.

As teachers and staff, we will:

  • Work to foster a safe and inclusive learning environment in which students are excited to be involved.
  • Develop and improve literacy and numeracy in order to give our students the tools they need to succeed in life beyond the learning community.

Mission

We, the community of Waapihtiiwewan School, are committed to the development of excellence for each member of the school community within the Cree tradition. We will strive to create lifelong learners who are engaged, contributing members of the Oujé-Bougoumou community. We will maintain a safe and inclusive environment for all students and we will strive to graduate each individual as we know they are able.

School Charter

Waapihtiwewan School will be a place which will help to establish the means by which the Oujé-Bougoumou young people will be empowered to contribute to and further the Cree goal of self-determination. The school will play a critical role in preparing students to be actively involved in the administration, development and growth of their community. In its organization structure, its curriculum and its relationship to the community, the school will be oriented toward the practical measures required to contribute to Cree self-determination.

Objective: To realize this vision, the school will need to focus on the following objectives:

To Educate

In addition to providing a solid foundation in basic curriculum items, the school will also need to provide some education in those areas which relate more directly to aboriginal self-determination. These areas include: Politics, Culture, Lands/Resources, Administration and Economics.

To Nurture

The school will need to be established in such a way to provide a non-alienating and comforting environment which permits the students to openly and freely explore the full range of their potential. Significant emphasis will need to be placed on:

  1. Expressions of Cree Culture and Arts, and
  2. Self-esteem, self-awareness and the development of self-confidence.

To Heal

The school will need to provide a range of intensive guidance and counseling services which can address the various difficulties which students may encounter in school or which may affect performance in school. Additional services will need to be provided to parents so that they may become effective partners with their children in becoming confident and achieving students.

To Inspire

Oujé-Bougoumou young people will be encouraged and aided to developing effective student association which will be directly involved in community life at numerous levels including the community politics, programs and regional issues.

About Oujé-Bougoumou

With a population of about 1,000 people, Ouje-Bougoumou is located on the shore of Lake Opemisca about an hour's drive from Chibougamau, QC. 

The community was built in 1992 after the government granted land to the Crees in the area. Ouje-Bougoumou is known around the world for its unique and contemporary design and innovative heating system which was completed by renowned Indigenous architect Douglas Cardinal. 

Ouje-Bougoumous is also home to the Aanischaaukamikw Cree Cultural Institute which opened on November 15, 2011.

Oujé-Bougoumou Cree Nation

Community Links

Emergency Contacts

  • Ambulance: 418-745-3111
  • Clinic: 418-745-3901
  • Police: 418-745-2573
  • Fire: 418-745-2575

History of Education in Oujé-Bougoumou

Waapitiiwewan School, like the community, was designed by architect Douglas Cardinal. The school opened on September 21, 1993.

It was named by a youth of Oujé-Bougoumou named Irene Bosum. The name chosen - Waapihtiiwewan  -which means a “vision”.