Shawn Atleo

Shawn A-in-chut Atleo is a former National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations in Canada.

Atleo was born in 1967 in Vancouver, British Columbia. He is an activist for the rights of First Nations in Canada and formerly served as the AFN's Regional Chief in British Columbia. He has also been a Hereditary Chief of the Ahousaht First Nation, since 1999, part of the Nuu-chah-nulth Nation.

He holds a Master of Education in Adult Learning and Global Change (MEd) from the University of Technology in Sydney, Australia.

He was elected the AFN's National Chief at the leadership convention on July 23, 2009, defeating Perry Bellegarde after eight rounds of voting.

Atleo was re-elected for a second term on July 19, 2012, in the third round of voting at the AFN's 2012 leadership convention.He resigned from his position as AFN Chief on May 2, 2014 amid controversy over Bill C-33, the First Nations Control of First Nations Education Act.

In 2008, he was named Chancellor of Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo, British Columbia, becoming the first university chancellor of Aboriginal heritage in the province's history.

Atleo has been the executive director of a family addictions treatment facility and of an Aboriginal post-secondary training institute, Umeek Human Resource Development. He was a participant in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and led a delegation to assist in rebuilding indigenous communities in Indonesia following the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.

Atleo is also first cousin of Canadian electronic musician and producer Rhys Fulber, who is known for appearing on the Roadrunner United track "The End"..

• 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 (formerly the National Aboriginal Achievement Award) for Education
• Honorary Doctorate of Laws Degree from University of Guelph (2013)
• Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal presented by Governor General David Johnston (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)