Cree School Board chairperson Sarah Pash could not be prouder of the large number of students graduating from its youth sector and its adult education and vocational programs this year.
Pash credits the success to a focus on students’ needs and identifying their difficulties. When the school year ended, the CSB contacted every student who was in danger of not being able to complete their requirements in time and offered them summer school to help ensure they could graduate with their classmates. According to Pash, this was the first time the CSB had summer school running in all the communities.
“That focused effort is really starting to pay off,” said Pash.
Numbers are up across the board. In the youth sector, 117 students graduated in 2019 – compared to 94 last year. Another 79 students graduated from adult education programs, including 14 completing secondary 5 and 65 more in vocational streams.
Less than a decade ago, there were some communities in Eeyou Istchee that had no graduates in some years. Pash says the major turnaround started when the schools began addressing student needs. Offering summer school in every community meant that students didn’t have to leave home to finish high school.
Collaborating with other entities in the communities has also made a difference. It has allowed the CSB to offer programs that students want like driver’s ed, hunting and safety courses offered via the Cree Trappers’ Association, as well as health and wellness courses.
“We are looking at where our students are, what their needs are and being bold enough to make the right changes, even when they go against the way we have traditionally done things,” said Pash.
And Pash is convinced there will be a continued increase in graduation rates in coming years. By studying the data reported by schools on student needs, she said, the CSB will further target programs to motivate students to complete their studies.
Wemindji
Chisasibi
Angeline Angatookaluk, Lana Angatookaluk, Niibin Bearskin, Daniel Budgell, Byron Dick, Sheena Duff-Monias, Neebeesh House-Cox, Cameron Kitty-Pachanos, Saleena Lameboy, Shaylene Louttit-Rupert, Martina Matthew, Derian Mistacheesick, Joseph Napash, Robert Nanskish, Ceclia Neacappo, Christina Pachano, Hannah-Mae Pachano, Dawn Pashagumskum, Jade Pepabino-Bosum, Nathan Ratt, Jennifer Rupert, Kaylee Rupert, Justin Sam, Wesley Sam, Shayline Sam-Bobbish, Kianni Sands, Donovan Sealhunter, Darcy Sealhunter-Herodier, Lauren-Grace Shem, Kayla Spencer-Young, Damon Tapiatic, Betsy Washapabano, Jocelyne Washipabano-Sam, Lyle Weapenecappo, Tekarihwaneken White, Ewan Zephyrine
Eastmain
Marlena Abraham, Nicholas Chakapash, Alissa Cheezo, Erica Cheezo, Marvina Cheezo, Angel Georgekish, Sylvain Gilpain, Chaztina Gilpin, Lucas Gilpin, Sebastien Gilpin-Mayappo, Kathleena Gilpin-Shanush, Courtney Mark-Stewart, Keanna Otter-Rupert, Hayden Rae, Eric Stocken, Chelsea Tomatuk, Desiree Tomatuk, Leroy Weapenicappo, Selena Weapenicappo, Jonas Wesley, Tanya Whiskeychan
Mistissini
Hayden Benac, Cainen Coon Petawabano, Jason Iserhoff, Harland Kitchen, Jerusaley Longchap, Serene Mianscum Matoush, Kayton Napash, Nadjela Noumedem, Nemiah Shecapio
Nemaska
Christie Coonishish, Myra Sheshamush, Glenda Visitor, Tanya Wapachee
Ouje-Bougoumou
Seven Diamond, Donovan-Lee Jolly-Dixon, Martin Metabie, Bryton Mianscum-Shecapio, Chelsea Rabbitskin, Makana Shecapio
Waskaganish
Trisha Blackned, Kareena Blackned-Hester, Amelia Erless, Micheline Georgekish, Miranda Georgekish, Jessica Gillies, Charles Hester, Errol Hester, Sebastien Jonah, Keenan Katapatuk-Hester, Andrea McLeod, Jarris Salt, Seegwin Trapper, Anson Weistche, Derian Weistche, Matthias Weistche, Leon Whiskeychan
Waswanipi
Keyon Cooper, Angel Cooper Dixon, Thomas Cooper Gull, Bertie Diamond, Isabelle Dixon, Adrian Gull-Cooper, Ryan Allan Gull-Jolly, Jason Gull-Rodgers, Mya Happyjack, Tatianna Icebound, Eldon Jolly-Saganash, Adamie Mathias, Ethan Migwans, Cyrus Moar, Elias-Starr Moar, Zechariah Moore Gunner, Devin Napash, Wabagun Neeposh, Khayden Otter Rupert, Casey Polson, Charlie-Tekuatshen Riverin Bobbish, Johnny Trapper Saganash, Aaron Snowboy
Wemindji
Arianna Atysnia, Gillian Blackned, Jean-Claude Georgekish, Michele Georgekish, Roman Georgekish, Shania Georgekish, Kendra Goulais, Cassie Hughboy,
Grant Kakabat, Jeannie Kakabat, Kris Kakabat, Starla Kakabat, Seth Matches,
Layla Miniquaken, Isiaiah Miniquaken-Visitor, Shaun Mistacheesick, George Natawapineskum, Darius Shashaweskum, Russell Stewart, Kyla Visitor, Myles Weistche
Whapmagoostui
Beashosku Atchynia-Masty, Angel George, Wesley George, Casey Kawapit, Abby Masty