The mood is one of anticipation, hope, and a little competition sprinkled on top. Administrators from schools in all nine Eeyou Istchee communities along with representatives from Education Services, Frontier College, Elephant Thoughts and Mikw Chiyam strutted their stuff for potential teachers during the third annual CSB Recruitment Event at the Delta Hotel in Montreal.

It's the frost on the trees, the sparkle in the skies, the opportunity to live close to nature, and the feeling of community that draws many southerners to the north. And the Cree School Board is hoping those expansive sunrises and sunsets will help encourage even more people to consider living in Eeyou Eenou Istchee when it hosts its Recruitment Event in Montreal.

Sabtuan Adult Education Services in partnership with Cree Human Resources Development (CHRD) launched the first phase of its Adult Learning Needs Assessment February 6, 2019. The goal is to survey as many community members and businesses of Eeyou Eenou Istchee as possible to better understand their needs in terms of adult education, training and employment.

School administrators are busy planning activities and organizing snacks to mark one of the most significant weeks of the year in our schools. 

Teacher Appreciation Week runs from February 3 to 9, 2019.

Director General Abraham Jolly joined Chairperson Sarah Pash to offer their thanks to teachers in the Board. 

There were smiles all 'round in Chisasibi as elders and students engaged and connected over caribou, expanding their language, knowledge, and skills.

Secondary 5 students spent five days learning how to harvest caribou . . . starting from the initial kill to the final products - the meat, the hide, and the bone. Students also learned the proper Cree terms for everything Caribou and reinforced the Cree values of respect - for the entirety of the animal - and sharing - through learning how to store, distribute, and cook  caribou.   

They approach our booth gently, unsure of where, in fact, the Cree School Board is located, and if, indeed, one has to speak French to work with us. The graduating teachers at the career fair are quickly assured that the Cree School Board is accessible by road (mostly) and that we are a trilingual board of education – so English, French, or Cree are acceptable.

Then they hear about our unique environment: the climate, the culture, the landscape, and the opportunities offered by the Cree School Board. Their eyes light up with the thought of adventure and meaningful work.

This is usually the way the interaction begins during Career Fair Season for the Cree School Board. This month alone, our principals, CEAs, and Human Resources staff will attend a dozen Education Career Fairs spanning three provinces.

Family, friends, children, music, goodwill, and cheer. Hundreds of students took part in celebrations of Christmas at each of our schools this week, ahead of the Christmas Break.