Episode 34 - Rethinking Racialized Language, Part 3 w/ Sophie Pierre

Best of the WWEST

In this episode, we’re joined by Sophie Pierre.

Sophie has dedicated 30 years to serving on the council of the St. Mary's Indian Band—now known as ʔaq'am—of the Ktunaxa Nation, including 26 years as elected chief.

From 2009 to 2015, she served as the chief commissioner of the B.C. Treaty Commission, a role to which she was appointed by agreement between the Governments of Canada and British Columbia, along with the First Nations Summit.

In recognition of her contributions, Sophie received the Order of British Columbia in 2002 and the Order of Canada in 2016 for "her role in the British Columbia treaty process and her commitment to the economic development of First Nations."

In our conversation, Sophie delves into the impact of colonial terms like "whitepaper," the essential contributions of Indigenous and marginalized voices to meaningful change, and the ongoing challenges institutions face in decolonizing language.

This conversation is part of our ongoing effort at WWEST UBC Okanagan to foster inclusivity and decolonization within STEM and beyond. Let’s keep reflecting, rethinking, and renaming for a more inclusive future.

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