Chief's 20 years of community service recognized

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In the midst of a busy December, Chief Sophie Pierre received a commemorative medal that symbolizes the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

Now entering her 20th year as chief of the St. Mary's band outside of Cranbrook, Pierre was awarded with the gold-plated bronze medallion for her outstanding contributions to the Ktunaxa/Kinbasket Tribal Council (KKTC).

The creation of this decoration by the Department of Canadian Heritage is in tribute to Queen Elizabeth's 50th year of reign over the Commonwealth. Recipients of the medal were nominated and selected by their communities.

Pierre saw this gesture as a sign the non-Native population in the area respects the work by her band.

"To be given the recognition of this medal by the local committee is what I appreciate," she said at the Dec. 19 ceremony during a Cranbrook Rotary Club luncheon.

The reserve, with only 1,000 residents, has recently opened St. Eugene's Mission, a four-star resort that has provided an economic impetus for the east Kootenays. This facility includes one of Canada's best 18-hole golf courses and the Casino of the Rockies that opened in September. The latest addition is a 125-room hotel that incorporates the former residential school where Pierre studied for nine years.

St. Eugene's Mission resulted from the stability of the St. Mary's band government. In addition to Pierre's 24 years on council, three of the present four councillors are in their third consecutive four-year terms.

Pierre continually stresses accountability.

"Other agencies, governments and corporations, we'll invite them to our assembly. They can see the openness and transparency and to witness the leadership of the five (KKTC) bands," the chief said proudly. "That's why we have people who have invested $20 million in what we do."

Presenting the Golden Jubilee Medal was the Member of Parliament for Kootenay-Columbia, Jim Abbott (Canadian Alliance).

"Sophie Pierre as chief has assumed an aggressive role of leadership and has had a tremendous amount of success," Abbott said.

Besides the financial boom occurring in St. Mary's band, there is an improved social structure. Pierre talked about their preventive and remedial health measures.

"When somebody gets sick, it involves more than the doctor, such as a school, but there is no one area to give support for the family to become healthy. The family and the community has to work together as one," Pierre said.

While waiting for the opening of the hotel this fall, Pierre travelled twice to Toronto to attend conferences and seminars where she spoke of the efforts of St. Mary's band and KKTC as a potential model for other bands.

"It's a lesson to learn in the Aboriginal community because we have to work hard to be accountable to our own people. We have to practice transparent government, and that's what will attract others to our community," the chief said.