THE RECONCILIATION TRAILBLAZER

KPU’s chancellor, Kim Baird, is an accomplished leader who advises Indigenous communities, governments, businesses and other organizations on Indigenous matters. She served as the elected chief of the Tsawwassen First Nation from 1999 to 2012, during which time she negotiated and implemented British Columbia’s first modern urban treaty. Her leadership provided unprecedented benefits and opportunities for her community, and now as individuals and organizations across Canada grapple with how to meaningfully advance reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, Baird continues to be a driver of transformational change.

It’s an issue, Baird says, that every Canadian has a responsibility to understand and act on. “Indigenous reconciliation is possible, change has happened and is happening,” she says. “I think it’s important that everyone does their part to learn about these issues and then act however they can to help reconciliation in Canada.”

Baird’s own resolve to contribute to positive change for her community was sparked during her time as a student in general arts at KPU. She says meeting new people and taking a wide breadth of subjects, including psychology, history and political science, helped awaken her political consciousness. At the time, the Tsawwassen First Nation reserve she grew up on lacked basic infrastructure and her people faced poor economic conditions. She began applying what she was learning about colonization, land claims processes and Canadian history to a role setting up a land-claim research program in her community.

“I think once my social consciousness woke up, that contributed to my desire to see my community have justice,” she says. “That was a very big driving force for me to advocate for my community to be able to enjoy things others take for granted. That was a big motivation for me.” doctorate from Simon Fraser University, a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and KPU’s Distinguished Alumni Award. In 2022, she was recognized by Business in Vancouver as one of the 500 most influential business leaders in B.C.

After graduating in 1992, Baird continued working in her home community of Tsawwassen and, by 1999, was elected chief. At just 28 years old, she was the youngest woman to hold that position. She remained chief for over 13 years and in that time laid the groundwork for prosperity and self-sufficiency for her community.

Securing the historic treaty in 2009 was the culmination of many years of negotiations that gave her people ownership and governance over their land and resources, creating employment opportunities and attracting millions of dollars of investment. Baird initiated the Tsawwassen Mills project, a commercial real-estate development valued at $780 million, and her leadership has contributed to the Tsawwassen First Nation being one of the most progressive in the country.

Reflecting on her accomplishments, she considers the level of engagement her community had in voting for the treaty among the biggest in her career.

“There was a 94 per cent participation rate on the treaty vote,” she says. “I’m very proud of being able to get that level of participation. That was critical for planning our future as a community.”

The Tsawwassen First Nation treaty negotiations are recognized as a model throughout Canada and the world and Baird is much sought after as an advisor on Indigenous matters. Through her consulting practice, Kim Baird Strategic Consulting, she provides services related to First Nation policy, governance and economic development, as well as First Nation consultation, communication and engagement issues. Her ultimate goal, she says, is to improve the quality of life for Indigenous people.

Her leadership has been acknowledged in many ways, including the Order of British Columbia, the Order of Canada, an Indspire Award, and honourary

Of this most recent recognition, Baird says: “It’s flattering to still be relevant. After having a long career as chief of Tsawwassen First Nation, I didn’t really have plans as to what my next phase would be. I’ve been consulting for almost 10 years now, and to be successful in that and to be recognized for the work I do is a big honour. I’m grateful.”

In addition to her consulting work, Baird holds a number of board appointments, including with the Canada Infrastructure Bank, the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade and the B.C. Indigenous Business Investment Council.

In 2020, Baird was installed as KPU’s third chancellor. As the ceremonial head of the university and an ambassador for KPU, she says she hopes to contribute to the institution’s evolving role with Indigenous reconciliation in Canada. It’s an issue all KPU alumni can contribute to, she says.

“Allowing people to learn about the true history of Canada is an important gap that needs to be filled across the country,” says Baird. “Then, the economic sustainability of Indigenous individuals and families need to be addressed. There are a lot of things you can do to help reconciliation with those things in mind – whether it is through education, hiring or procurements – or other things like that.”

Baird says the close-knit experience at KPU helps develop community-minded individuals and today, as chancellor, she encourages recent graduates to find their unique way to have an impact.

“I think serving your community is one of the most rewarding things you can do,” she says. “Until you actually do some of that work, you don’t realize what an opportunity it is to give back and how it is really fulfilling. I encourage people to give back to the communities because I really do think it’s good for them as well as the community.” 