Shawn Atleo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Shawn A-in-chut Atleo
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|---|---|
| Ah-up-wa-eek | |
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| National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations | |
| In office 2009–2014 |
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| Preceded by | Phil Fontaine |
| Succeeded by | Ghislain Picard (interim) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1967 (age 57–58) Vancouver, British Columbia |
| Spouses |
Nancy Atleo
(m. 1986–2014)Heather Squire
(m. 2017) |
| Residences | Vancouver, British Columbia |
| Alma mater | University of Technology, Sydney |
Shawn A-in-chut Atleo, born in 1967, is a leader from the Ahousaht First Nation in Canada. He is known for being a former National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), a big organization that represents many First Nations communities across Canada. He served in this important role from 2009 to 2014.
Before becoming National Chief, Shawn Atleo was also a Hereditary Chief (Hiwilth) for his own Ahousaht First Nation. He has held this special leadership position since 1999. The Ahousaht First Nation is part of the larger Nuu-chah-nulth Nation, which is located in British Columbia.
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Early Life and Education
Shawn Atleo was born in 1967 in Vancouver, British Columbia. He grew up in an Ahousaht First Nation family. For his education, he first earned a degree from the British Columbia Institute of Technology.
Later, he traveled all the way to Australia to study at the University of Technology, Sydney. There, he earned a Master of Education degree, focusing on how adults learn and how changes happen around the world.
Becoming a Community Leader
As an adult, Shawn Atleo became very active in working for the rights of First Nations in Canada. Before leading the AFN nationally, he served as the Regional Chief for British Columbia within the Assembly of First Nations.
His role as a Hereditary Chief of the Ahousaht First Nation means he holds a traditional leadership position passed down through his family. This shows his deep connection to his community and its history.
Leading the Assembly of First Nations
Shawn Atleo was chosen as the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations on July 23, 2009. This happened at a special meeting where leaders from different First Nations voted. He won after several rounds of voting.
He was re-elected for a second term on July 19, 2012. This showed that many First Nations leaders trusted him to continue his work. However, he later stepped down from his position as AFN Chief on May 2, 2014.
Other Important Roles
Besides his work with the AFN, Shawn Atleo has taken on other significant duties. In 2008, he was appointed as the Chancellor of Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo, British Columbia. This was a historic moment because he was the first university chancellor in British Columbia with Aboriginal heritage.
He has also worked as a leader for a family support center that helps with addictions. He also led an organization called Umeek Human Resource Development, which provides training for Aboriginal people after high school. Shawn Atleo also helped write the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which is an important document about the rights of Indigenous people worldwide. He even led a group to help rebuild Indigenous communities in Indonesia after a big natural disaster in 2004.
Awards and Recognition
Shawn Atleo has received many awards and special degrees for his work and leadership. These honors show how much his efforts have been appreciated.
- The College of Family Physicians of Canada/Scotiabank Family Medicine Lectureship Award (2013)
- Honorary Doctorate of Laws Degree from University of Cape Breton (2013)
- Honorary Doctorate of Letters Degree from University of New Brunswick (2013)
- 2013 Indspire Award for Education (this award used to be called the National Aboriginal Achievement Award)
- Honorary Doctorate of Laws Degree from University of Guelph (2013)
- Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012)
- Honorary Doctorate of Laws Degree from Ryerson University (2012)
- Honorary Doctorate of Laws Degree from Queen's University (2012)
- Honorary Doctorate of Civil Law Degree from Bishop's University (2012)
- Honorary Doctor of Technology Degree from British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) (2012)
- Vancouver Magazine Power 50 Award (2011)
- Ottawa Life Magazine Top 50 list of Capital People (2011)
- Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Technology, Sydney (2011)
- Vancouver Magazine Power 50 Award (2010)
- Honorary Doctor of Education Degree from Nipissing University (2010)
- Vancouver Magazine Power 50 Award (2009)
