Calvin Helin facts for kids

Calvin Helin is a Canadian businessman and writer. He is a member of the Tsimshian First Nation, an Indigenous group from northwestern British Columbia.

Calvin Helin comes from the Tsimshian village of Lax Kw'alaams, B.C. His father, Barry Helin, was a traditional leader (a hereditary chief) of the Gitlaan tribe. His mother, Verna Helin, belonged to the important 'Wiiseeks family of the Ginaxangiik tribe. In the Tsimshian culture, family lines are traced through the mother. So, Calvin Helin is part of the Ginaxangiik Tsimshian and belongs to the Gispwudwada (Killerwhale) clan, just like his mother.

He wrote a book in 2006 called Dances with Dependency: Indigenous Success through Self-Reliance. This book talks about how Indigenous communities can become strong and successful by relying on themselves. His cousin, Bill Helin, created the pictures for the book.

As of 2018, Calvin Helin was the president of Eagle Spirit Energy Holding Ltd., a company involved in energy projects. He has chosen to stay neutral (meaning he doesn't pick a side) on big projects like the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion in Canada.