As the vision for a world-class international school that sets the standard for transformative learning and sustainable living moves forward, the Purcell Collegiate School Corporate Board of Directors is pleased to welcome a new member.

Please join us in welcoming ʔaq̓am Community – St. Mary’s Indian Band Chief Joe Pierre to the Purcell Collegiate School Board of Directors.

About Chief Joe Pierre:

Joe Pierre was raised in the community of ʔaqʾam (formerly known as the St. Mary’s Indian Reserve) and is a citizen of the Ktunaxa Nation. Joe served as a Councillor for the ʔaqʾam Community (St. Mary’s Indian Band) for eight years.  In the Fall of 2016, Joe was elected back to the ʔaqʾam Council, this time in the capacity of Chief Councillor. In February 2021, Joe was re-elected to a second term as Chief.

Joe is a member of the Board of Directors for the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC).  FNESC works at the provincial level to provide services in the areas of research, communications, information dissemination, advocacy, program administration and networking to promote and support the provision of quality education to First Nations learners in BC.  Joe also previously served as a member of the Board of Governors for the College of the Rockies. He  works for School District No. 5 (Southeast Kootenay) as an Aboriginal Education Coordinator.

Joe attended the University of Calgary in Fine Arts.  At the U of C, Joe met several other First Nations people interested in theatre and they collaborated to form the Crazy Horse Theatre Company.  The company mounted several productions in Calgary, all of which were written by Aboriginal writers.  Joe also worked for a season with the CBC production “North of Sixty”.  Joe was a storyteller at the very first Proctor Storytelling Festival and he has presented at several other festivals throughout the Kootenays.

Joe, his wife Jennifer, and his son Jude live in Cranbrook.  Together they are known as “Triple J”.

We invite you to get to know the rest of our Board by visiting: https://purcellcollegiate.ca/corporate-board/