Chief Jen Thomas is a proud səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) Member and maintains a dual focus on education and housing. She has decades-long experience advocating and implementing effective social initiatives for the səlilwətaɬ community and throughout the Lower Mainland. She is the daughter of former Chief Maureen Thomas and Stanley Thomas.

As current Chief of Tsleil-Waututh Nation (2021 – present), she leads Council’s efforts in maintaining its governance mandate in support of Tsleil-Waututh Membership. As an active spokesperson for the Nation, Chief Jen tirelessly advocates for the rights and title of Tsleil-Waututh Nation, to benefit the next seven generations.

Jen served as a səlilwətaɬ Councillor for 21 years (2000 – 2021) where she led on efforts to update and enforce Tsleil-Waututh laws and bylaws to address the needs of Members. As part of her role as a community liaison, she acted as a social program referral lead to better connect Members with programs that serve their diverse needs. Jen obtained a Business Administration Certificate from Capilano University to build her foundation of business acumen.

Jen has extensive board and committee experience. She is passionate about housing and has been and a member of the TWN Housing Committee for over 15 years where she has led the development of strategic plans in support of Members’ housing needs, reviewed both market and non-market deliverables, and supported financial transparency in reporting. Jen believes Indigenous participation is vital for reconciliation, particularly when it comes to safe and affordable housing.

Jen leads various annual community events like the Christmas Craft Fair and baby celebration. She believes the success of our youth is the success of the Nation and enjoys helping TWN youth reach their full potential.

She has also worked and volunteered with various Indigenous organizations in the past two decades, including Katzie First Nation, the Native Courtworker and Counselling Association of BC, Native Education College, and the First Nations Summit, which have expanded her insight into First Nations governance and strengthened her leadership capacity.

Chief Jen strives to see all səlilwətaɬ Members thrive. To do so, she works to bring Members together for connection and celebration, to locate resources for the most vulnerable in the community, and pursue capacity-building for the next generations.