Meet KPU: Erin Barnes
From her legal career to chairing the university’s board of governors, it’s always been a journey of leadership for Barnes
In her new role, a key focus for Erin Barnes will be embedding reconciliation more structurally within KPU. (Submitted)
Erin Barnes was announced as the new chair of Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s board of governors (BOG) this summer. Barnes, a lawyer by trade, has advocated for and supported First Nation communities with environmental and regulatory matters for most of her career.
Through this work, Barnes has navigated different governance systems including common law provincial and federal systems, which First Nations have had for decades since the enforcement of the Indian Act.
Her practice has also focused on the true implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), which was adopted in 2007 and emphasizes the rights of Indigenous Peoples across the globe.
Barnes, who is Mi’kmaw and a member of the Wasoqopa’q First Nation in present-day Nova Scotia, received her undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Victoria and a doctorate of law from Peter A. Allard School of Law at the University of British Columbia.
The following responses have been edited for length and clarity.
When did you join the KPU community and why?
I joined the board of governors in June 2024. I was appointed by an order-in-council appointment. I was encouraged to apply for this position through a mentor of mine in the legal space — he really championed me to apply.
It’s a great opportunity to lead. The leadership was a big piece for me, but it was also the chance to work within the institutional sphere. I was very interested in KPU because based on my interviews, research, and everything I knew about KPU just living in the Greater Vancouver area, they definitely have a lot of diversity within the faculty, staff, and students they serve. I was also really inspired by the innovative programs that the university has. That intersects a lot with my line of work. There is a lot of opportunity for diversity, particularly for First Nations and Indigenous voices.
What is your favourite story or experience from your time at KPU so far?
I’ve only served on the board for one year. But just being on the board of directors, meeting the president, faculty, and student representatives, and coming to the campus and getting a tour of some of the programs, like the agricultural program and the science labs, and seeing the innovative areas of campus was really exciting.
The board actually didn’t get together in person a lot just due to busy schedules, so I’m really looking forward to building that community to have more favourite memories.
What message would you like to share with people new to the KPU community?
As a First Nations woman, I envision that staff, students, and faculty have a greater sense of belonging. I know it’s already strong, but where diverse voices can carry weight in shaping the institution.
My hope is that the KPU community sees their own perspectives reflected in the board’s decisions and hopefully in a way that they feel it meaningfully contributes to shaping the future of the institution.
What are you working on right now?
It’s really a transition time right now with the new president, myself as the new chair, and my colleague Stephanie Smith as the new vice-chair.
What we’re working on right now is really planning for the next year. It’s amazing to have these fresh perspectives and learn what has worked and what has maybe not been as effective in leadership practices. I’m working on connecting with the board, staff, students, and other leaders to shape where we want to go.
A big piece from my end is embedding reconciliation more structurally within the university and hopefully intertwining Indigenous governance principles. I know KPU was gifted its name from the Kwantlen First Nation, so I think it’s important to keep that perspective.
What is something you would like people to know about you?
Becoming the chair of the BOG of an excellent university, people might not know that I’m more committed to listening first and leading in partnership with people that are already very much a part of this community and have shaped this community.
It might seem like, “OK, I’m the chair and this is what I want to do,” but I really believe that the best ideas emerge from more collaboration and holding space for ideas to take root and grow. I’m motivated by the knowledge that already exists at KPU, and then what we can build together collaboratively.
