Alumni Spotlight: Stan Kapashesit
Jul 21, 2025 | Vanessa Tignanelli, Storyteller & Content Creator
At 21, Stan Kapashesit (46) left Moose Factory for North Bay, ready to juggle fatherhood, school, and hockey, all in pursuit of something better. He had three young daughters and a strong sense that education could lead to opportunity—not just for himself, but for his growing family. After starting in paramedic studies and then general arts, he found his place in Canadore’s Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Management program. A new eco-lodge was being built back home in Moosonee, and Stan saw a chance to be part of it from the ground up. He shaped his coursework around that vision, creating projects on Indigenous tourism, paddling, and homegrown hospitality.
At Canadore, Stan found more than just academic training. His classmates had also arrived from other small towns, and they formed a tight-knit community that encouraged each other. Stan returned for a third year, adding senior management and administration training to his credentials. He also played forward on the Canadore Panthers hockey team and in the local club league, finding connection outside the classroom. Balancing school, sports, and parenting was intense. He often studied late into the night after his daughters fell asleep, and there were moments he considered giving up. But the support he found—especially through the First Peoples’ Centre—helped him keep going.
After graduating in 2002, he returned home and became a supervisor at the newly opened eco-lodge. From there, his career evolved. He worked in business development and employment counselling, helping others find paths to meaningful work. Eventually, he became Director of Economic Development for Moose Cree First Nation, and as of 2023, serves as Associate Executive Director. Stan also continued his education, completing further training at the University of Waterloo and Harvard. Today, he’s still focused on community—organizing youth hockey tournaments with Little NHL, helping lead the Treaty 9 land entitlement settlement, and supporting Moose Factory’s growth. His goal is to help build the kind of place where young people can thrive, and where his grandkids can grow up proud of what he’s helped create.
“At Canadore, I wasn’t just a student. I was a father, an athlete, and someone trying to build a future. They saw that.”
“Critical thinking was one of the most useful courses I took. It taught me how to solve problems in ways I use every single day.”
“I’ve always wanted to help Moose Factory grow. It’s my home, and I want my kids and grandkids to be proud of what we’ve built here.”
“Success for me is being rooted in community and knowing who you are, even when you’re away from home.”
Stan Kapashesit
Associate Executive Director, Moose Cree First Nation
Hotel, Report and Restaurant Management Program (Class of 2002)
#Alumni #Canadore College #First Peoples' Centre #Indigenous