The hereditary chief of the Esquimalt Nation, Seenupin, Chief Andrew Thomas has passed away.
For 47 years, Chief Andy B次元官网网址� as he was often referred to B次元官网网址� led the people of the Esquimalt Nation, before he died suddenly at his home early Saturday in his seventy-first year.
Born and raised on Esquimalt Nation lands, Thomas helped create the Assembly of First Nations and served on the executive of the First Nations of South Island Tribal Council.
B次元官网网址淒espite what the world thinks, we have not lost our culture,B次元官网网址� he wrote on the Esquimalt Nation website. B次元官网网址淗owever, because our culture was tied to and sustained by our lands, we must find new ways to give it voice.B次元官网网址�
A tireless advocate for Indigenous rights, Thomas helped establish Salish Sea Industrial Services Ltd. to provide training and employment opportunities for his nation.
In 2007, he was honoured with the ChancellorB次元官网网址檚 Community Recognition Award from Royal Roads for his work to make Esquimalt Nation prosper.
Most recently, Thomas was proud to see the new branch of the Greater Victoria Public Library given a Lekwungen name, honouring its location in what is now known as James Bay.
In a statement, Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps called him an B次元官网网址渋nspirationB次元官网网址� whose B次元官网网址渓egacy will live on as we continue to walk together on this new path of truth and reconciliation.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淐hief Thomas was a champion for his people,B次元官网网址� the mayor said. B次元官网网址淕rappling with the ongoing legacy of colonialism, he became dedicated to ensuring a prosperous future for the youth of his community.B次元官网网址�
Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins called Thomas B次元官网网址渁n incredible leaderB次元官网网址� who was integral to her journey in understanding reconciliation and the issues of colonialism. B次元官网网址淎ndy always held his cards close; he never disclosed all he was thinking, but he was a very generous heart and a genuine person,B次元官网网址� she said.
The timing of his death is particularly hard for the Esquimalt mayor, who had recently been in discussion with Thomas in an effort to ensure ongoing communication between the nation and the township.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 really sad that weB次元官网网址檙e not going to be able to [partake in] further discussion with Chief Andy Thomas, but weB次元官网网址檒l certainly endeavour to work with Esquimalt Nation when they are ready and when they are able,B次元官网网址� she said.
Speaking to Victoria council, Thomas once said: B次元官网网址淩econciliation is your work, your responsibility. We will work with you, guide you and share the labour but it is your burden to carry, and you must do what is needed to put that burden down, piece by piece.B次元官网网址�
School District 61 board chair, Edith Loring-Kuhanga, member of the Gitxsan Nation, said in a statement, she asked for ThomasB次元官网网址� blessing when she decided to run for school board trustee.
B次元官网网址淗e empowered me to stand up for the interests of First Nation children,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淗e believed in empowering our youth to maintain their cultural heritage and identity in order to survive in todayB次元官网网址檚 complex world.B次元官网网址�
Thomas is survived by his wife Mary Anne, their children, Maureen, Ed, Mike, Matthew, Louie, Andrew and Mary Anne Jr., as well as grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. A statement from Esquimalt Nation asked that the familyB次元官网网址檚 privacy be respected but a public funeral service in the Esqimalt Big House (1189 Kosapsum Crescent) is planned for April 12 at 9 a.m.
