Social activist named NDP candidate for Kamloops South Thompson riding

Social activist and community leader Anna Thomas has been acclaimed the NDP candidate for the upcoming provincial election for the Kamloops South Thompson riding.

“I see myself as a change maker, someone with a passion for helping people, and I think that’s what governing is all about,” said Thomas, in a party press release. “A key lesson from the pandemic has been that people turn to their government to assist in hard times."

Thomas’s passion for social action on behalf of Indigenous women and families led her to the presidency of the B.C. Native Women’s Association, first elected in 2018 and she also serves as second vice-president of the Native Women's Association of Canada, according to the press release

“Anna is a committed activist who has fought for social justice since her studies at Simon Fraser University,” said William Roberts, the president of the Kamloops South Thompson NDP Constituency Association, in the press release. 

Born in Sto:lo Territory and raised in Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc, Thomas is married with two sons.

During her studies in anthropology, sociology and First Nations studies at SFU, Thomas advocated for adequate post-secondary funding, accessible, modern classrooms and food sovereignty.

Thomas enjoyed a 12-year career in personal banking, and worked as the aboriginal skills and employment training strategy coordinator for the BC Native Women’s Association for three years. During her working life she has regularly volunteered for a number of community organizations, according to the NDP press release.

She will be challenged for the seat by Dan Hines for the Green Party and incumbent Todd Stone for the B.C. Liberals.

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