BIOGRAPHY
COVER:
Grassy
Narrows Fights for their Future
BIOGRAPHY
Eskasoni's Icon: Seymour
Doucette
Sophie
Pierre, Lifetime Achiever Seeks a Better Future for Children
BUSINESS
Tobacco
Road Revisited
Interior
First Nations Awarded Forest Licenses
BOOKS
Fatherhood,
History, and Art
CULTURE
A
Mother's Prayer for Son's Safe Return
EDUCATION
CHIP
Hospitality "Future Tourism Leaders" Scholarship
HUMOUR
Bee in the Bonnet:
Circle the Wagon
MODERN
TREATIES
Top Court
to Determine Scope of Metis Rights
Sophie
Pierre, Lifetime Achiever Seeks a Better Future for Children
By
Frank Larue
Veteran leader of the Ktunaxa Kimbasket Tribal Council (KKTC), Chief
Sophie Pierre, has reached yet another plateau in her long and illustrious
career when she was recently chosen as one of this year's recipients of
the National Aboriginal Achievement Award in the business category for
her leadership in the creation of the St. Eugene Mission Resort - the
largest and most elegant destination resort /casino in Western Canada.
"It's
not a personal award. It's my name, but it's not about me," says
Chief Pierre. "It's an indication of what our bands have accomplished."
Over ten years in the planning and development, the St. Eugene Mission
Resort is a world-class resort at the foot of the Rocky Mountains that
features a refurbished residential school transformed into a 25 suite
executive hotel, an adjacent 100 suite lodge, as well as the 'Casino of
the Rockies' and a renowned championship golf course.
"We didn't know when we started it would be a $40 million project.
I think the biggest reward is knowing that a former residential school
was being turned into a four-star hotel," said Pierre.
In addition to her National Aboriginal Achievement Award, Chief Pierre,
was recognized as CANDO's 2002 'Individual Economic Developer of the Year'.
She
is a past co-chair of the First Nations Summit, and a recipient of the
Order of British Columbia. In December 2002 , Chief Pierre received the
Queen's Golden Jubilee commemorative medal - a creation of the Department
of Canadian Heritage in which recipients are nominated and selected by
their home town communities.
Born in Cranbrook, B.C., she obtained a business administration diploma
from Camosun College. Ms. Pierre has led her own band, St. Mary's, as
chief for more than 20 years and has demonstrated her commitment to her
community through her ongoing involvement in youth activities, women's
advocacy, and elder's support.
Her business savvy has made her one of the most recognized aboriginal
leaders in the country and she is a frequent speaker at business and economic
development conferences.
Chief Pierre has always been a strong advocate of economic development
as a means to achieve self determination for aboriginal peoples and has
demonstrated that commitment through her dogged determination in making
the St. Eugene Mission Resort a reality for her people.
The Mission Resort is owned collectively by the five bands of the KKTC,
and employs 120 people with an annual payroll of more than $3 million.
"We built it for our future generations," said Chief Pierre.
"We wanted to create something that would make a better life for
our children."