Mark Thomas is a Kinbasket descendant and member of the Shuswap Band, born in Invermere, BC. Julianne Kinbasket and Baptiste Thomas were parents to Susan Thomas, Mark’s Grandmother and his Grandfather was Harry Bell. Mark is the father of 3 adult children and has been married to a Ktunaxa Nation member for 28 years.
Mark is sitting on his second 4-year term on Council for the Shuswap Band and holds the portfolios for Aquatics, Fish, BC Hydro, Forestry, CRT, Salmon restoration, and several shared portfolios with the rest of Chief and Council, including Parks, Recreation and Culture. Mark is educated in and has worked in the natural resource management field for over 30 years, much of that time advocating for the return of our Salmon stocks. Mark has attended Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT) in their Integrated Resource Management Program (IRM) and the University of Lethbridge’s Environmental Sciences Program.
In May 2023 Mark was stood up as Salmon Chief for his community. Mark advocates through public speaking engagements such as the annual Salmon Festival in Invermere or the annual, online Bringing the Salmon Home Festival event and annual ceremonial releases. Government agency education on the history of the Shuswap Band is also a keen interest of Marks, he has pushed for awareness of his communities’ rights and title which he feels has the honor to carry out the inherent responsibilities of the Shuswap Bands Peoples through stewardship and taking our place in Secwepemculew. Salmon Restoration is key in Marks view to re-establish long lost cultural, spiritual, communal, and economic losses suffered by the Band.
Mark currently sits at the Columbia River Salmon Recovery Initiative (CRSRI) Executive Working Group (EWG) as the Chair. Mark participates at the Columbia River Treaty (CRT) Negotiating Advisories Team (NAT) with the 3 Nations, Canada and BC and leads the Technical Team for the Secwepemc Nation. He also sits at the Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP) Board and Policy level, Columbia Wetlands Stewardship Partnership (CWSP) board and on the Steering Committee for Columbia Basin Trust’s CBT Ecosystem Enhancement Program (EEP) for the Nation. Mark has sat at the Kootenay Forestry Collaborative and leads the Band in the forestry sector, creating opportunities never present prior.
Mark has been honored to have the opportunity to serve his people on council and is very proud of the accomplishments the Band has made over his terms. Mark is excited for the Band’s future and looks forward to continuing the role of representing his people’s interest at the tables he sits at. Mark is available to discuss any of his portfolios or any relevant issue people may wish.
