Cree Health Board celebrates 35 graduates under Talent Development Program

 
On June 9 at a downtown Montreal hotel, the CBHSSJB hosted a celebration event for 35 employees who completed a range of university programs online as part of the Talent Development Program. During the pandemic, gatherings were not recommended, so the June 9 event combined graduates from several years past into one celebration.  

Through many years of evening and weekend classes, the graduates completed a range of university programs. Starting in September 2016 and in partnership with McGill University and other educational partners, 33 graduates followed health and social services management programs together online. Twenty completed certificates and thirteen completed a diploma. The June 9 celebration also included two managers who achieved, respectively, a Master’s in Public Administration in an Indigenous context, and a Bachelor’s of Nursing. 

The evening program included speeches by CBHSSJB Chairperson Bertie Wapachee and Executive Director Daniel St-Amour and two graduates: Assistant Director of Material Resources Charlie Alisappi, and Specialized IT Analyst Nicholas Ortepi, who is also the Board member representing non-clinical staff. Vice-Chair Christine Petawabano was the MC. Each graduate received a beaded medallion made by Vivian Jerome and a personalized agenda and pen. 

CBHSSJB clients in Montreal, Elaine Trapper, Emily Wapachee and Lizzy Coon baked home-made donuts and boudin for the occasion. As an additional gift to help them commemorate this achievement with their families, the graduates had a chance to have a formal professional portrait taken. The evening included entertainment by fellow graduate and performing artist Deanne Moore (Assistant DPSQA Psycho-social), and three well-known bands: Scott-Pien Picard, Maten and Ninan.