Tribal Chief Felix Thomas Bio

Felix Thomas is a member of the Kinistin Saulteaux Nation and grew up in that community. He is married to Dawne and they have four children. Felix obtained his formal education from the University of Saskatchewan with Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees.

 

A relatively young leader, Felix has amassed over thirteen (13) years of experience in First Nation governance by serving as a Band Councillor for two (2) years and as Chief of Kinistin for eleven (11) years. His work experience includes a stint as Executive Director of the FSIN’s Health & Social Development Commission for three (3) years. An experience he describes as very valuable and contributing to a broader understanding of the inside operations of a First Nations political organization.

 

In addition to serving as a Board and Commission member on various agencies within Saskatchewan, Felix has also served First Nations people as:

• Co-Chair of the Assembly of First Nations’ (AFN) Chiefs’ Committee on Health

• Member of the AFN National Self-Government Committee

• FSIN Indian Government Commission

• Member of the Board of the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority

• Member of the Board of the Indigenous Gaming Regulators

• Member of the Board of the Saskatchewan Indian Training Assessment Group

• Member of the Board of the Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre

• Chair, STC Casino Holdings Corporation

• Vice-Chair, Dakota Dunes Community Development Corporation

 

In the political realm, Felix has proven to be committed to the vision of creating opportunities for First Nation people through personal and professional development and empowerment initiatives. He has actively worked in the protection of Treaty Rights. A particular success was when he negotiated a moratorium on any changes to Non-Insured Health Benefits in 1998 which prevented their erosion for just short of a decade. Other active involvement includes community development initiatives, accountability to First Nations, and improvement of education, health and social programs.

 

Felix has advocated for responsible and responsive leadership by endorsing leadership that is effective, experienced, educated and committed. Felix believes in working with the greatest resources of First Nations, which are people. He demonstrated his belief that programs and services need to be appropriate to each community, designed and administered by them through his role as lead negotiator on the initial Saskatoon Tribal Council Health Transfer Agreement. He led the discussion on the tribal council design for community-based control. Further, Felix ensured that the STC and Province of Saskatchewan Bi-Lateral Agreement on Child and Family Services protected First Nations jurisdiction and authority.

 

Felix has worked tirelessly for his own community. One of his greatest attributes is his commitment and ability to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to move issues forward to a resolution.