Called to the Senate of Canada on December 12, 2002, Ms. Pana Pappas Merchant is the first Greek born woman to serve in Canada’s Upper Chamber. Elementary and junior high school teacher, and later businesswoman, Ms. Merchant has played an active role in cultural, political, and advocacy groups in Saskatchewan. She was a founding Board Member of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation (1996) until called to the Senate. She served two terms on The Board of Governors of the World Hellenic Interparliamentary Association. A strong advocates of First Nations’ rights, she was adopted into the Blackfoot Confederacy with name “Many Offerings” in an Alberta War Bonnet ceremony (2008); was presented the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal (2002); the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal (2005); the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012). Senator Merchant has had a keen interest in world affairs and over the past 30 years, has traveled to over 100 countries to learn and experience firsthand their culture, governance and history. She has twice participated and addressed the Forum on Democracy, Development and Free Trade held annually in Doha, Qatar, and serves as Honourary Patron for Future Achievers International. Senator Merchant was educated in Greece and Canada. She obtained a B.A. from the University of Saskatchewan and a Teaching Diploma from the University of Regina.
