Cree Land Stewardship Program

Attestation of Collegial Studies (ACS)

Certified by the Ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur / Quebec Ministry of Education

Program Objective

The Eeyou Ituun program was created with the primary objective of preserving and strengthening the Cree Way of Life in Eeyou Istchee. The program focuses on the protection and revitalization of Cree culture, language, customs, traditional knowledge, values, and governance systems. Built on a foundation of intergenerational knowledge transfer, it empowers Elders to pass on vital teachings to the younger generations through immersive land-based education.

Program Overview

Accreditation: Attestation of Collegial Studies (ACS) – 900 hours
Duration: 8 months
Certification: Issued by the Quebec Ministry of Education
Delivery Model: Land-based learning in 2–3-week seasonal sessions
Breaks: 1-week pauses between sessions aligned with cultural activities (e.g., Goose Break)

15 Core Competencies

Stewardship Profession
Cree Culture
Build Camp
Traditional Cooking
Crafting Tools
Outing and Survival
Wildlife Inventory
Wildlife Illness
Cultural Activities
Harvesting Activities – Fall & Winter
Harvesting Activities – Spring & Summer
Negotiation for Land Use
Surveillance of Territory
Habitat Management
Management of Natural Resources

Partnerships & Governance

This program was made possible through strong collaboration between:

Cégep de St-Félicien
Cree Trappers’ Association (CTA)
Niskamoon Corporation

A dedicated working group, supported by the CTA Board of Directors and Executive Committee, ensured coordination, quality, and accountability.

Key Contributors

Cégep de St-Félicien

Manon Gingras – Director of Business & Community Services
Patrick Lachapelle – Pedagogical Counsellor
François Payette – Teacher, Techniques of the Natural Environment
Joannie Charbonneau – Teacher, Techniques of the Natural Environment (1st Cohort)
Alexis Frechette – Educational Consultant
Laurie-Anne Dansereau – Pedagogical Counsellor (2nd Cohort)

Regional CTA Personnel

Mary-Jane Salt – Eeyou Ituun Coordinator (1st Cohort), later Assistant to Special Projects
Thomas Stevens – Interim Executive Director / Special Projects Coordinator
Bert W. Moar – Interim Executive Director
Clarke Shecapio – Executive Director
Allan A. House – Secretary/Treasurer, later Chief Financial Officer
Jacinthe Beaudoin – Controller
Gordon Louttit – Accounts Payable Clerk
Judy Coon-Come – Eeyou Ituun Coordinator (2nd Cohort)
Sophia Cheezo, Executive Assistant, later Corporate Secretary

Part-Time CTA Staff (Cohort 1):

Harvey Blackned – Assistant to the Program (Contract Basis)
Karilynn Blackned – Interim Eeyou Ituun Coordinator (2 months)
Jacqueline Salt – Interim Eeyou Ituun Coordinator (3 months)