Shawn is supported by and gains his strength from his wife of 23 years Nancy, and their grown children Tyson and Tara. Following training and preparation since birth, in 1999 Shawn was named “A-in-chut” and seated by his people as hereditary Chief of the House of Glakishpiitl of the Ahousaht First Nation. This position holds Shawn to a high level of responsibility and accountability in his work and with his people. A-in-chut feels fortunate to have benefitted from the rich teachings of his people, who were once great whalers, traveling long distances in massive dugout cedar canoes to pursue the bounty of the sea. A-in-chut is home as often as is possible, participating in community and spending time on the land and sea of his ancestors.