Carleen Thomas is the Special Projects Manager for the Treaty Lands & Resources Department, of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation. Ms. Thomas works on building relationships with communities, and various government entities encompassed within the homelands & waters of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation (TWN).

Ms. Thomas spent a number of years in TWN Education Department, as coordinator, teacher, and eventually, as the Manager of Education. This department includes education from pre-school to Post Secondary and employment training, the administration and planning for these areas, before secondment to work with the Sacred Trust Initiative. She also spent one & half years on the Capilano Senate as an Indigenous representative.

Carleen Thomas achieved 16 years as an elected Council member for the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, in which she held the portfolio of Community Development. She currently sits on the Wild Bird Trust of BC Board of Directors, Burnaby School District’s Aboriginal Education Advisory, Carnegie Centre Indigenous Advisory Committee, appointed Chancellor at the Emily Carr University of Art & Design in 2021.

Carleen is most proud of being married to Dave Thomas Sr. for 36 years, until his untimely, but peaceful passing September 2019. She is also a proud mother of three, and grandmother of four granddaughters and one grandson.