July 7th, 2023

Congratulations, Sophie Pierre, on your retirement from the Board of Directors of St. Eugene Resort!

We celebrate the remarkable journey of a woman who helped turn adversity into triumph and transformed a painful history into a symbol of resilience and prosperity. This painted portrait hanging in the mission serves as a testament to your incredible accomplishments.

Sophie Pierre's personal connection to St-Eugene Residential School, where she attended for 9 years, gives her a unique perspective on the healing and transformation that was possible for this historic site. In the late '90s, when the question of what should become of the building arose, Sophie took the lead in advocating for its transformation into an economic powerhouse for the First Nations communities.

It wasn't an easy task. Sophie ensured that elders, council members, and community leaders were fully engaged, understanding their traumas and concerns. With her unwavering determination and the support of the leadership, all five communities rallied behind the project. Through referendums and countless discussions, the gap between the painful past and a hopeful future was successfully bridged.