Great Concordian: Mandy Gull-Masty, Grand Chief of Cree Nation of Eeyou Istchee

Mandy Gull-Masty, BA 06, BA 08, made history on July 29, 2021, as the first woman to be elected Grand Chief of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee).

A member of the Cree First Nation of Waswanipi, she now leads a political body that represents nearly 18,000 people across the vast James Bay and Nunavik regions in Northern Quebec.

As Grand Chief, Gull-Masty is committed to balancing sustainable resource development with the preservation of Cree land, language and culture — central pillars of her vision for Eeyou Istchee’s future.

Gull-Masty previously founded Kapatakun Consulting, the first management consulting firm owned by a Cree woman, which served clients across Eeyou Istchee for several years. Before assuming her current role, she served as Deputy Grand Chief, where she contributed to initiatives to harmonize Cree values with provincial projects. These include the monumental $4.7-billion Grande Alliance, a framework for infrastructure development and environmental protection that was the primary work of former Grand Chief Abel Bosums.

“We are confident in our development decisions, always prioritizing input from everyone and leading by consensus,” says Gull-Masty of the project. “This is a critical, long-term plan, and where it goes will ultimately depend on what our members agree to.

“With our strong experience in protection, we’re focused on respecting the Cree way of life and harmonizing with the environment. The final direction we take will be decided by the people, with additional time allowed for thoughtful decision-making.”

Gull-Masty’s educational journey at Concordia included dual undergraduate degrees in political science, as well as public affairs and policy studies, programs she undertook as a mother and while working as an executive assistant to the Deputy Grand Chief.

Her experience at Concordia allowed her to bridge theory and practice, a skill she finds essential in her leadership today.

“Applying and working with what I was learning in school in my everyday job was quite the challenge,” she recalls, noting that her studies provided her with a “well-rounded understanding of how a political decision is both made and presented.”

Today, her extensive career — which spans more than 12 years in Cree administration and public office — is driven by a vision of self-sufficiency for the Cree Nation. Her leadership emphasizes the four pillars she believes will sustain the health of Eeyou Istchee: a Cree-based model for governance, language preservation, land protection and a Cree mixed economy.

“My long-term goal isn’t just about signing agreements or launching projects — it’s about rethinking our internal processes and modernizing governance to ensure inclusive decision-making at all levels,” says the Great Concordian.

“Next year marks 50 years of our agreement with Quebec, and we’re looking at how we can update our services to better serve our communities — from policy development to cultural and language investment.”

When you reflect on your time as a Concordia student, what stands out?

Mandy Gull-Masty: My time at Concordia was really valuable because I entered the Political Science program aiming to understand how government decisions are made. It was especially engaging because I was also working in the Cree government as an executive assistant to the Deputy Grand Chief at the time. Applying what I learned in class to my day-to-day work was challenging — what you learn in theory doesn’t always match the reality of application. But I appreciated how the program was structured, especially the addition of policy study and public affairs to the political science degree. This combination gave me a well-rounded perspective, not only on how political decisions are made but on how they’re presented. Juggling my studies, work and motherhood was intense, but it showed me the importance of what I was learning and how I could bring it into my work.

What are some of the factors that have enabled your success?

MGM: Studying public relations really helped me understand the importance of messaging. Now, as a leader, I can see how critical it is to communicate clearly and ensure that people understand the message. This is key for a leader, especially when you’re encouraging people to consider one position over another.

I was an older student, a working mom among many younger classmates, which gave me a unique perspective. My Concordia education showed me howtheoretical skills could be applied in real-world environments — a connection that’s been instrumental in my career."

What advice do you have for students who may want to follow in your footsteps?

MGM: For me, it’s been essential to experience different roles before stepping into a leadership position. I started as a secretary, then became an executive assistant, a political attaché, and so on. It wasn’t just about the different positions, though; it was the relationships I built in each role. So I advise students and early-career professionals to meet as many people as they can, seek mentors and listen to those who inspire them. Some of my most impactful experiences came from directly helping people in times of need — whether it was supporting someone in a crisis, assisting with a funeral or simply helping them in challenging moments. Those experiences grounded me in compassion, which I believe is essential for effective leadership.

How does it feel to be a Great Concordian?

MGM: I never expected this kind of recognition. When I started at Concordia, I just wanted to understand how decisions were made. My focus was on ensuring that decisions would serve the best interests of as many members of my community as possible. It’s an honour to be recognized as part of such an outstanding cohort of alumni. I remember those days as a working student and a mom — it was such a challenge. This recognition means a lot to me, and I’m proud to be part of this group.