Huy’wu’qw Shana Thomas (Laxele’wuts’aat) is the hereditary Chief of Lyackson. Her Grandfather was hereditary Chief, Thee-o-letza, Clifford Thomas from Lyackson, her Grandmother was Joyce Moody from Squamish Nation; her Great Grandmother was Mary Albany from Songhees Nation, and her Great Grandfather was George Moody, a Hereditary Chief Squamish Nation. She has a bachelor’s degree in political science (2001) and a master’s degree in Indigenous Governance (2008), both from the University of Victoria, and is in the Final year of her Doctor of Social Science from Royal Roads University.
Shana served eight years as an elected council member for the Lyackson First Nation (2002-14). She was elected by the Coast Salish Chiefs of Vancouver Island to be the Coast Salish representative to the First Nations Health Council (2010-12) and as such was part of the negotiating team that transferred the Pacific Region Health Canada to the First Nations Health Authority, the first of its kind in Canada. She was elected by the Chiefs of the First Nations Summit as Treaty Commissioner to the BC Treaty Commission (2009-11) where she facilitated tripartite treaty negotiations. Shana worked for the Hul’qumi’num Treaty Group (2001-07) in the capacity of Communications Director, then Senior Negotiations Support. Shana worked with Chief Judith Sayers and was Negotiator for Hupacasath First Nation (2007-09). She was retained as a Sessional Instructor, teaching First Nations issues at Vancouver Island University, the University of Victoria and Camosun College (2008-15).
Shana started consulting in 2009, and as a consultant she has had the privilege of working with various First Nations and First Nation’s Organizations from across BC and Canada.
Huy’wu’qw Thomas is presently serving her first term as an elected member of the FNS Political Executive (2025-2028), and also serves on the First Nation Leadership Council (FNLC). The First Nation Summit is mandated to carry out specific tasks related to treaty negotiations and advocating for other issues of common concern and as mandated by First Nations in British Columbia.
Shana is a mother of two, and grandmother of four.
E-Mail Huy’wu’qw Shana Thomas at: sthomas(at)fns.bc.ca