On June 16, Chisasibi inaugurated the Eeyou Istchee College of Science and Technology, the first college in Quebec’s northern region. Founded on principles that prioritize Indigenous culture and language, the not-for-profit institution represents a historic milestone in the region’s higher education.
While the Cree School Board offers some springboard and online college and university programs through partnerships with McGill University, John Abbott College and Cégep de St-Félicien, this community-driven initiative is the first independent Indigenous college in the province.
Chisasibi’s plans for a college started to take shape after a series of round-table discussions beginning in 2018. High graduation rates in Kelly Petawabano’s early childhood education program provided evidence that in-community programs could deliver successful outcomes. Although the CSB isn’t involved in this initiative, Chief Daisy House suggested that future collaboration was likely.
“We did tell the school board about our plans and said let’s just do it,” explained Chief House. “The best part of this is we get to tailor it to our community. If people want to go down south, the doors are always open – it’s providing options to our people.”
Despite population growth, House says the number of post-secondary students has remained in the 500-plus range for many years. Recalling that she didn’t even know where Gatineau was when she left for college 35 years ago, House empathizes the culture shock and homesickness that Cree students often experience in the south.
“The year my eldest son graduated in 2021, there were a record 71 graduates in Chisasibi and he was the only one who left,” said House. “He came home after two-and-a-half years and said, ‘I don’t want to go back.’ I don’t blame them for not wanting to leave – at 17 years old, moving 15 hours away to the nearest English CEGEP?”
After Chief House struck a committee to conduct feasibility studies between 2020 and 2022, former McGill University associate dean Carmen Sicilia was named college director. As Sicilia had previously worked with the community through McGill, focus groups and next steps came together quickly.
“I actually took my retirement, and the Chief reached out and said now that you’re retired you have time to work on this initiative,” Sicilia told the Nation. “When I came in 2024, I took it from where they left off, validating the needs of the community and putting in proposals to the Ministry of Higher Education. Less than a year later, we’re up and running.”
Official approval of the school’s permits for delivering accredited courses is expected any day, but the college has been operating since January. About 70 people from the local co-op, radio, development group and regional government are currently enrolled in a certificate program in professional practice.
The college will soon offer six programs with staggered start dates leading to a diploma in College Studies (DCS) and an Attestation in College Studies (ACS). This fall, it will launch two – a springboard into STEM and an attestation in Indigenous business management and governance.
“It’s a really good thing for the Cree Nation to have a college way up north,” said Grand Chief Norman Wapachee. “You can still go out hunting in the heart of the territory. STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) is a big need for the Cree Nation. We need to prepare our youth to take on bigger roles – forest and mining engineers, architects.”
A range of non-credit professional development courses will also be offered this fall, helping employers to improve employees’ skill sets. They include Cree, English and French-language training along with short courses in business essentials, operations management and building inclusive environments.
In 2026, there will be web/mobile development and computer networking programs; in 2027, full diploma programs in computer science technology, administration and management will be launched. Further programs will follow consultations with local employers to identify workforce needs.
The college’s initial focus on business management and technology is a response to the region’s employment needs. A regional hospital will soon open near the campus, an incentive to offer health and sciences courses.
“The community is the campus,” Sicilia observed. “You have all these wonderful conference rooms in various buildings, sports facilities, a lab for land-based education. We’re going to build classrooms, laboratories and offices in an actual physical building.”
Smart classrooms will be built later this year in the Mitchuap Building. Collaborative educational initiatives are planned with the Chisasibi Eeyou Resource and Research Institute (CERRI) in partnership with another research and development organization. CERRI marine biologist Dante Torrio said technical and communication skills provided by the college will be significant for the community.
Elder Jimmy R. Fireman has been meeting with students and staff to ensure that operations, teaching and learning are rooted in Cree culture. There’s also a position open for a Cree pedagogical and curriculum advisor.
“I’ve met so many Crees who have said I’m retiring in a few years and have so much knowledge to share,” Sicilia noted. “We have an initiative to provide training for Cree subject matter experts who have that knowledge but not that experience in teaching. The college will be a stage where they can share that with the community.”
In coming years, the college plans to build student residences for Indigenous and non-Indigenous students from neighbouring regions. The college is open to forging partnerships with other Cree communities, which could eventually lead to satellite campuses.
“That’s why it’s called Eeyou Istchee College, we can welcome everybody from the Nation,” said Chief House. “Instructors can easily go to Eastmain or Whapmagoostui from our airport that we’re expanding this year. Education is power but our people have had to sacrifice and leave their families. Now they can stay – our time is now.”