Callers to the Vancouver Island office of Naut’s mawt Tribal Council may be surprised, and even pleased, to hear a greeting in the Hul’qumi’num language, as spoken by Coast Salish peoples on the Mid-Island.

It is the voice of Evelyn (Thomas) Allen, the new finance clerk and receptionist.

“I have a lot to learn yet,” Evelyn says of her language skills. “But all the little classes here and there, I’m quite confident with a few words. Others… I’m learning yet.”

But she doesn’t underestimate the importance of learning and speaking the language of her people. “Learning our language means that a part of our spirituality’s identity stays alive,” she says. “Being able to understand and speak the language helps keep our beautiful culture alive.

“Growing up, it was the most basic Hul’qumi’num spoken. When I was in middle school, we had an option to take either Hul’qumi’num or French. I choose Hul’qumi’num. I’m becoming a passionate casual/beginner speaker.”

Evelyn’s paternal grandparents are the late Shirley and Bill (Simon) Thomas of Lyackson First Nation. Her maternal biological grandparents are the late Edith (Oly) and Robert Joseph of the Ditidaht First Nation. Her maternal adoptive grandparents are the late Martin and Ceceila Charles of Ditidaht First Nation. Her parents are Wallie (Wallace) and Marie Thomas.

Evelyn is a member of Cowichan Tribes. She and her husband Brandon Allen have five children.

“I am excited to be a part of Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council’s finance department,” she says. “Two years ago I participated in a First Nation’s introduction to business course hosted by Stz’uminus in partnership with Vancouver Island University. This program ignited my flame for number crunching.”