Chisasibi chief hits the road to support community's post-secondary students

Students from Chisasibi, in the James Bay region of Quebec, who are away studying in Gatineau, Que., and North Bay, Ont., got a visit and words of support from their chief this month.

Leaving their communities for the big city in order to get a post-secondary education is a challenge for many northern students. 

Chief Davey Bobbish said he is trying to support youth from his community by hitting the road and visiting them. He said his parents always taught him to put education first.

"We know these students make a sacrifice leaving their hometown to further their education," said Bobbish.

"We want to let them know that their chief and council stand behind and encourage them to finish their education."

Chisasibi is at the end of the James Bay Highway, about 1,600 kilometres north of Montreal. Some students have young families of their own and find it difficult to move and leave their support network. It's also a challenge for their children to be in a new school and suddenly in an urban culture.

Laura-Lee Sam, who moved her family to North Bay to study in the environmental technician program at Canadore College, said having her chief visit helped her persevere.

"It really helped me get that extra push considering how many times I have thought about giving up and just going home, especially in my final semester," she said. 

"This is what we need sometimes to motivate and push us in finishing our studies and not give up no matter how hard it is."

Bobbish travelled with Chisasibi Deputy Chief Daisy House, Youth Chief Paula Napash, as well as special guest speakers lawyer Jean-Paul Murdoch and indigenous comedian Don Burnstick.

Bobbish organized his first visit to students at southern colleges in 2012 and said he plans to make it a yearly visit.

"I respect education, so it will help our people in the future and they will have the jobs we've already created for them [in Chisasibi,]" he said.