Mary Thomas, of the Secwepemc (Shuswap) Nation in the interior region of British Columbia, is the great great granddaughter of Chief Sam for Canim Lake (Tsq’escen’) Nation.  Her great grandparents, English Decker and Bridget (daughter of Chief Sam) partly raised Mary and instilled goals and future direction.  Grandparents, Theodore Michel (3rd husband) and Edith (daughter of English and Bridget) taught her traditional Secwepemc spirituality and culture.  Mary’s parents Jim Charley (Alkali Lake Nation) and Rita (daughter of Edith and Isadore Frank (2nd husband of Edith)) reinforced culture and Secwepemc language.

Mary attended St. Joseph’s Mission, an Indian Residential School.  The assimilation consisted of an imposed government and religion that adversely affected Secwepemc roots, values, customs, culture and language.  Hence, confusion and identity crisis set in.  It took years of therapy and healing for Mary to embrace the once lost Secwepemc culture and language.

Now Mary is a wife, mother of three sons and one daughter.  She is the grandmother of 16 and great grandmother of 2.  She has a vast history of education and work experience for which she strived to be successful, no matter what.

Education:  Bachelor of Science, High Wycombe United Kingdom;  in Canada Adult Education, St. Francis Xavier;  Community Economic Development, Nicola Valley Institute of Technology;  Negotiations and Conflict Resolution, Justice Institute of BC;  Junior Accountancy, Cariboo College/University.

Work Experience:   First Nations for about 40 years as:  Health Director;   Aboriginal Wellness Coordinator; Treaty Coordinator, Self Government Director, Economic Development Officer, Forestry Extension Coordinator.  She worked, lived and studied in the United Kingdom for 5 years.  She spent years doing research which was provided to Helen Hawley.  Helen and Mary co-produced the book CARIBOU FACTORY which is presently being viewed by publishers in the UK.