Monthly Archives: July 2026

Huy’wu’qw Laxele’wuts’aat (Hereditary Chief) Shana Thomas on Chek News. Concerns regarding the lack of Indigenous consultation on a recent pipeline plan continue as the province celebrates the federal-provincial tanker ban agreement. “I hope the province recognizes that they can’t stand out and celebrate this agreement while at the same time minimizing the role of

"First Nations cannot be expected to continually, quietly absorb colonial violence … while we act as though it's all for the good of the economy." — Huy’wu’qw Laxele’wuts’aat (Hereditary Chief) Shana Thomas Recently, Huy’wu’qw Laxele’wuts’aat (Hereditary Chief) Shana Thomas attended the AFN General Assembly. Featured on CBC News, the Assembly focussed on how recent

Huy’wu’qw Laxele’wuts’aat (Hereditary Chief) Shana Thomas at the AFN General Assembly  Featured on the Globe and Mail, the assembly focussed on how recent developments in major projects could impact reconciliation.  “I think everything that our people face every single day is important, but the opportunity we have in front of us with this meeting

“There is no longer a question about whether our Rights exist. The courts have been really clear and have repeatedly affirmed our inherent Rights and Title.” Recently, Huy’wu’qw Laxele’wuts’aat (Hereditary Chief) Shana Thomas attended the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) General Assembly to join the conversation on major projects.  See the video below (2:58:20)

Huy’wu’qw Laxele’wuts’aat (Hereditary Chief) Shana Thomas at the AFN General Assembly “I want to encourage us to exercise one of the fundamental teachings and principles that we all share in common, and that’s the principle of discipline.” — Huy’wu’qw Laxele’wuts’aat (Hereditary Chief) Shana Thomas See the video below (1:47:00)

“Economic growth and First Nations’ Rights cannot be placed in competition with each other.” — Huy’wu’qw Laxele’wuts’aat (Hereditary Chief) Shana Thomas Recently, Huy’wu’qw Laxele’wuts’aat (Hereditary Chief) Shana Thomas attended the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) General Assembly to join the conversation on major projects.  “It is 2026 and the days of the Crown running

 “We cannot be expected to absorb the colonial violence that is upon us right now, and then be told that we’re the problem.” — Huy’wu’qw Laxele’wuts’aat (Hereditary Chief) Shana Thomas Recently, Huy’wu’qw Laxele’wuts’aat (Hereditary Chief) Shana Thomas joined other Chiefs to tell the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) that it cannot negotiate on major

Following the provincial and federal governments’ announcement of a Canada-British Columbia Cooperative Prosperity Agreement, Huy’wu’qw Laxele’wuts’aat (Hereditary Chief) Shana Thomas spoke to Chek News to raise concerns that the new agreement was reached without adequate consultation with the First Nations that could be affected by a potential pipeline. “The fact that they are making

Huy’wu’qw Laxele’wuts’aat (Hereditary Chief) Shana Thomas was featured in Maclean’s On July 13, Maclean’s published an article exploring the Cowichan decision and the reactions that followed it, including perspective from Huy’wu’qw Laxele’wuts’aat (Hereditary Chief) Shana Thomas. “Obviously, the Cowichan have been really clear that they’re not targeting individual homes,” she said. Click the button

Huy’wu’qw Laxele’wuts’aat (Hereditary Chief) Shana Thomas calls on governments to engage with First Nations on prosperity agreement On July 9, Huy’wu’qw Laxele’wuts’aat (Hereditary Chief) Shana Thomas joined CBC Radio’s ‘On The Island’ to speak on the government's lack of engagement with First Nations on the the multi-billion dollar Canada-British Columbia Cooperative Prosperity Agreement.  Click