College recognizes former grads

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Camosun College presented Distinguished Alumni Awards to outstanding former graduates at this year's June convocation.

Two of the three recipients were Aboriginal: Chief Sophie Pierre and the late artist and activist Art Thompson.

Chief Sophie Pierre graduated from the college's business administration program in 1978 and has been chief of the Ktunaxa Nation since 1982. In 2002, she received a National Aboriginal Achievement Award for public service and in 1994 she was appointed to the Order of British Columbia.

Art Thompson (1948-2003) belonged to the Ditidaht Band of Nuu-chah-nulth. Thompson achieved international acclaim for carvings, paintings, jewellery and prints reflecting his Nuu-chah-nulth and Cowichan ancestry. He was also a lecturer and ambassador for Northwest Coast art and culture.

He received the National Aboriginal Achievement Award in 2000, and received a Citizen Award from the city of Victoria in 1995.