Shana Thomas (Laxele'wuts'aat) is the new hereditary chief for Lyackson First Nation, a central Coast Salish Hul’q’umi’num community of more than 200 members.
Thomas, who has spent the last 25 years serving First Nations and First Nations’ organizations across B.C., is in the last year of her Doctorate of Social Science degree at Royal Roads.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in political science and a Master’s degree in Indigenous governance, both from the University of Victoria.
Thomas’s new position as hereditary chief for Lyackson First Nation allows her to continue the momentum of previous leadership to advance the interests of the nation.
Thomas, working with the all-female elected council of Lyackson, has released an action plan now available on the First Nation’s newly launched website.
The priorities in the action plan include nation rebuilding, additional land-back opportunities, and strengthening the economic arm of the nation.
“I have dedicated my education and my life’s work to advancing the interests of our people; it is such an honour to humbly accept these responsibilities and act in accordance with my name (Laxele'wuts'aat) which is a war chief’s name,” Thomas said.
“Today’s war is a paper war, and I have been in training through over 20 years of sitting and learning from our Elders and listening to the leaders who have gone before me.”
Thomas’s recent negotiations have resulted in an $8-million land-back deal for Lyackson, in partnership with B.C. and Cowichan Tribes, close to Skutz Falls.
“My immediate focus is on advancing governance, lands, and resources, and the economic and cultural well-being of the Leey’qsun Mustimuhw (Lyackson People) in preparation for the re-establishment of our village site on Vancouver Island, [which is a direct result of the land-back deal],” she said.
“Launching our newly rebranded website is one component of our larger action plan, and we are thrilled with the team at Remarkable Communications who have worked with us on this.”