Our Chancellor 

Carleen Thomas serves as Chancellor and ceremonial head of Emily Carr University, bringing wisdom and connection to our community and convocation ceremonies. Appointed in August 2021 and now in her second three-year term, she represents the university at major events and confers degrees to graduates.

An educator and community leader from the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, Carleen has dedicated her career to advancing Indigenous education, reconciliation and community development.

About Carleen Thomas

Carleen Thomas is an educator and former council member for the Tsleil-Waututh Nation. She commenced her first term as Chancellor of Emily Carr University in August 2021 and is serving a second three-year term, effective August 2024.   

Carleen is currently the Special Projects Manager at Tsleil-Waututh Nation and was previously the Acting Principal at the Tsleil-Waututh Nation siʔáḿθət School. Prior to these roles, she served eight two-year terms as an elected council member for the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, in which she held the Community Development portfolio covering health and education.  

Carleen holds a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of British Columbia (UBC). She has previously worked as a district resource teacher in Indigenous education for the North Vancouver and Burnaby school districts. She sat on the Burnaby School District’s Aboriginal Advisory Committee and served as the Aboriginal Representative Chair in the Capilano University Senate.  

Over the years, Carleen has educated people about Tsleil-Waututh history and Indigenous issues and participated in several panels and initiatives that support reconciliation and the modernization of institutions.  

The Chancellor serves as the ceremonial head of the university and sits as a member of the Board of Governors and the Senate, in addition to acting as an ambassador for the institution. The Chancellor presides over major ceremonies, including convocation, and confers degrees to graduating students.