Barry Coulter
A prominent member of the Ktunaxa Nation has been presented with one of Canada’s highest honours.
David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, announced 113 new appointments to the Order of Canada on Thursday, June 30, in Ottawa. Among them was Sophie Pierre, former Chief of the St. Mary’s Band (?Aq’am) and Commissioner for the British Columbia Treaty Commission from 2009 to 2015.
Pierre was named an Officer of the Order of Canada for “her role in the British Columbia treaty process and for her commitment to the economic development of First Nations.”
Pierre was named to the Order Of British Columbia in 1994.
This year’s Order of Canada appointees include one Companion (C.C.), 27 Officers (O.C.) and 85 Members (C.M.). These appointments were made on the recommendation of the Advisory Council for the Order of Canada. Recipients will be invited to accept their insignia at a ceremony to be held at a later date.
The Order of Canada is the nation’s second highest honour for merit in the system of orders, decorations, and medals. It comes second only to membership in the Order of Merit, which is the personal gift of Canada’s monarch. An Officer of the Order of Canada, and honour which is presented to people who have demonstrated an outstanding level of talent and service to Canadians, is graded after Companions of the Order of Canada and ahead of Members of the Order of Canada.
The Order of Canada was established in 1967, during Canada’s centennial year, to recognize outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation. Over the last 49 years, more than 6,500 people from all sectors of society have been invested into the Order.
