Near North District School Board makes history – Cochrane Times Post

May 15, 2024

First time an Indigenous person in Ontario has filled the position

Tuesday night history was made as Ashley St. Pierre was elected to chair the Near North District School board, marking the first time an Indigenous person in Ontario has filled the position.

“It’s a huge accomplishment for my people,” she said, “considering the residential schools, and here I am as an Indigenous person sitting as a chair for a school board. I’m very touched about it, and it’s of huge significance.”

She reiterated how her taking on the role of chair “is a big deal for the Indigenous community, to have somebody represent them at a table like this” given the country’s history of residential schools. “It’s a big accomplishment to see where we are now.”

After former chair Erika Lougheed stepped down in April, St. Pierre stepped into the role of interim chair. Lougheed provided no reason for resigning both her chair and trustee roles, which proved to be a surprise to most.

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