The end of the boarding-school system in the early 1970s marked a turning point in the history of the Cree communities. Before 1969, Cree children had to attend elementary boarding schools in Fort George, Moose Factory (Ontario) or in other communities such as La Tuque. Subjected to assimilation and exposed to the abuse then frequent in boarding schools1, these children were also cut off from traditional knowledge, which could only be acquired through practice and observation of their parents. Some, however, still had the opportunity to acquire the knowledge necessary to live in the bush once their schooling was completed. The boarding-school system lasted until the Anglican schools were taken over by the federal government in 1969 and the Catholic schools by the Government of Québec in 1971. The first high school in Cree territory was inaugurated in Fort George in 1972.

The Cree School Board, established in 1978 following the JBNQA, is responsible for preschool, elementary and high school education and, since 1990, for adult education and vocational training services in Cree territory. The school board is one of the biggest employers in the Cree communities. Managing the education of an entire population is a tremendous administrative challenge, especially with the population expanding so rapidly. This is why it was not possible for all elementary and high school levels to be offered in all communities until 1990. Oujé-Bougoumou is still an exception, as high school students from this community have to go to a school in Chibougamau.

The Cree School Board is governed by a Board of Commissioners composed of representatives of each community. Each school has a parent-teachers’ association. The Cree School Board, with its head office in Mistissini, has a number of departments and divisions, among them the Sabtuan Continuing Education division and the Post-Secondary Students Service. The latter supports Cree students attending postsecondary institutions outside the community and provides career counselling services for high school students.

In 1988, a Cree Language Instruction Program was established to protect and strengthen Cree culture. Under this program, instruction is given in the Cree language for the first three years of elementary school. Also, the children of beneficiaries of the Income Security Program for Cree Hunters and Trappers (ISP) can benefit from a Room and Board Program that gives them a place to stay in the community when their parents are on the traplines.