Shawn A-in-chut Atleo - National Chief

 Shawn A-in-chut Atleo

National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo is a Hereditary Chief from the Ahousaht First Nation. In July 2009, A-in-chut was elected to a three-year mandate as National Chief to the Assembly of First Nations.

The Assembly of First Nations is the national political advocacy organization mandated and directed by the 633 First Nation governments across Canada.

A-in-chut is a founding member of the BC First Nations Leadership Council. The council was formed when A-in-chut, as BC Regional Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, along with the political executive of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs and First Nations Summit, signed a historic Leadership Accord in March 2005, overcoming decades of discord in BC.

In 2006, A-in-chut was elected to a second consecutive three-year term by the 203 Chiefs of BC. In his six years as Regional Chief, he made numerous contributions to the political field within his community, among First Nations, and in/between local, provincial, national and international levels. Some of his work at the national and international level has included international relations participating in work on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, leading the pursuit of reforms to the comprehensive and specific claims processes, and coordinating fisheries policy change relating to both coastal and inland fisheries.

In 2008, A-in-chut's commitment to education was recognized in his appointment as Chancellor of Vancouver Island University, becoming BC's first aboriginal Chancellor.

A-in-chut graduated in 2003 with a Masters of Education in Adult Learning and Global Change from the University of Technology, Sydney, Australia (in partnership with University of British Columbia, University of the Western Cape South Africa, and University of Linkoping Sweden). A-in-chut is supported by and gains strength from his partner of 23 years Nancy and their two adult children, Tyson and Tara. Traditional teachings have guided A-in-chut to serve First Nations as a leader, facilitator, mediator, planner and teacher.