Dr. Sarah Pash is a member of the Cree Nation of Chisasibi and holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.), a Bachelor of Education, a Masters of Education, a PhD. (Doctorate) in Education, and a Master’s Certificate in Public Organization Management. Sarah has a background in First Nations education, education and language research, culture and language maintenance. She has experience in Eeyou and Indigenous Education as a teacher, university instructor, education consultant, researcher, and author. Her community service includes terms as a band councilor and board member on various First Nations community organizations, as well as service on national boards related to heritage and answering the TRC’s Calls to Action.

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After 14 years of loyal service with the Cree School Board, both within the classroom and at the regional level, Dr. Pash joined the Aanischaaukamikw Cree Cultural Institute, Eeyou Istchee's regional cultural institute, when it opened in 2011 as Director of Programs, assisting in the organizational development of the Institute with her experience in program development and implementation, indigenous research, and public sector planning and management. Sarah became the Executive Director of Aanischaaukamikw in 2015; in her capacity as Executive Director, Sarah led a dynamic team supporting public education in history, culture and heritage for the 10 Cree communities in Northern Quebec. 

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Sarah has spent her professional career working in the field of education, first as a teacher in her home community of Chisasibi, and then as a regional consultant for the Cree School Board. Sarah was instrumental in establishing the public programming of Aanischaaukamikw, Eeyou Istchee’s regional Cultural Institute, including the education, research and heritage conservation branches. She led the institute to provincial, national and international recognition, including national awards for excellence in education programming in 2015 and a national award for outstanding achievement and innovation in cultural programming in 2018.

 

Sarah loves that her work throughout her career has allowed her to further her passions and advocate for:

• Identity construction through knowledge of Eeyou/Eenou history and culture

• Promoting the importance of Cree language maintenance initiatives such as a Cree Language Commission

• Grounding education programming in solid research findings to enhance engagement and success

• Involving communities and regional entities in shared initiatives