Sophie Pierre - Cranbrook

For more than 20 years, Sophie Pierre has been the leader of the Ktunaxa Nation and a dedicated director of First Nations developments throughout B.C. and Canada.

Born in Cranbrook, she obtained a business administration diploma from Camosun College. As chief of the St. Mary's Indian Band of the Ktunaxa Nation for the past 12 years, Sophie Pierre has demonstrated a deep and inspiring respect for the human being, translated into action on an impressive list of organizations.

Her efforts and skills, highly effective in political and business arenas, extend to other areas essential to strong community life; sports, recreation, youth, education, women's advocacy, family mediation, and support for the elderly.

Sophie Pierre is currently co-chair of the First Nations Summit. She is a board member for Canada World Youth and for the Suzuki Institute, and is the chair of the Ktunaxa Independent School System.

Past boards she has served on include the Canadian Heritage Rivers Advisory Committee, and the UNESCO-sponsored "Decade for Culture" project. She was chair of the 1986 B.C. Summer Games cultural and special events committee, and the B.C. representative in the Canadian Consultive Council on Multiculturalism.

Sophie Pierre's actions are recognized by her colleagues and others as resulting in a much improved quality of life and widened horizons for the Ktunaxa Nation and Kinbasket People and indeed, for First Nations throughout Canada.