Work continues on building a Cree Education Act in Quebec

What is a truly Cree education? Education officials in the James Bay region of Quebec are trying to answer that question and many others and create the first ever Cree Education Act, a document they hope will one day transform the way Cree children are taught and how their success is measured.

Since 2013, working groups have been pondering what the philosophy and curriculum of a Cree education system could look like and putting it down on paper. A regional Cree School Board general assembly is underway in Mistissini this week to update stakeholders on the process and get their input.

"We want our people to stand strong, our students to be successful and for our culture and our Cree rights to become strong in governing ourselves," said Jeremy Diamond, chair of the Cree Education Act working group.

"When you look at the past before contact with non-natives and comparing it to today, how would Cree education work? How would our people develop Cree education today? This is what we are focusing on."

Officials say they want the framework to be strongly rooted in Cree history, language and traditions from kindergarten through high school, but also prepare students to live and work in modern society.

Since the 1970s, Cree education has been governed by section 16 of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement and Quebec Education Ministry standards, which students must meet to graduate. Some Cree language and culture has been taught in schools in the Cree territory since then.

Cree-driven framework

The process to develop a Cree Education Act will put in place a completely Cree-driven legal framework for education, as well as expand and formalize the Cree component in how students are taught.

"It will really satisfy what the communities are asking for," said Nian Matoush, co-ordinator of the working groups and communications director for the Cree School Board.

"We (will) deliver on Cree education within a Cree legal framework that reflects a Cree world view.

"Right now we do have Cree programs, we do offer Cree language, but when you look at the framework for a Cree education we still have to account to the provincial standards.... With the Cree Education Act, our own people will be setting the requirements. That's the difference."

The working groups have until mid-December 2016 to deliver their recommendations to Cree School Board commissioners, who will then decide how to move forward.

Once a final version of the Cree Education Act is ready, Cree leaders will then begin "nation to nation" negotiations with the province of Quebec.