Pierre would bring Indigenous perspective to school board
It has been many years since Archie Jack, a member of the Penticton Indian Band, sat on the Okanagan Skaha school board.
Kathy Pierre believes now is the time for another band member on the board.
Pierre is running for the position of rural trustee, which represents West Bench, Naramata, Kaleden and parts of the Penticton Indian Reserve.
“I think it’s very important that if you truly believe in public school education and to be reflective of our population, so should our school board. We need diversity on the board,” Pierre said in an interview. “I would bring an Indigenous perspective. Big things are happening in public schools across the province to ensure that we have greater Aboriginal content in our curriculum and applying our First People’s principle to learning.”
Pierre’s platform extends well beyond First Nations issues.
“If elected, I would be there for all kids. It’s time for a fresh perspective. I think the public wants to see some new faces.
She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Victoria and a master’s from Gonzaga University. As well, she earned a diploma in business administration from Okanagan College.
Pierre was firmly opposed to closing West Bench Elementary School in 2016, a decision supported by her opponent Ginny Manning. The school was saved at the midnight hour by the provincial government of the day.
“That entire process was very stressful and caused tremendous anxiety for children and their parents with how it was handled. In education, it’s important to have a neighbourhood school. For our kids from the PIB, that’s the home school for many of them. They learn to fit in after leaving the reserve community. Having that little school is great. They’ve always had great teachers and wonderful principals and they’ve built good relationships.”