A native fashion model who moved from the tiny First Nation of Saskatchewan to the bright lights of Los Angeles, a childhood promise to his parents kept him in a tough industry.
The Thomas River rises two hours northwest of Saskatoon on the Saulteaux First Nation. From a young age, he saw the effects of unhealthy coping mechanisms in society. He made a promise because he wanted to be a positive role model.
“When I was very young, I promised my mother that I would never drink or do drugs,” Thomas said when he came home for the holidays. “And I have kept this promise to this day.”
He said his parents trusted him more, and he was able to live more independently after the commitment.
“Growing up with that commitment, they always let me follow that moral compass, and they were never strict,” he said.
Thomas started his modeling career from humble beginnings.
“I was at the Frontier Mall in North Battleford, and my sisters and I were asked to put on a fashion show at the mall,” Thomas told CTV News.
He made the show, and never thought much of it until he was 20 years old.
“I was approached by a woman named Tishynah Buffalo, who asked me to model for a fashion show in Regina. And I’ve been doing it ever since,” he said.
Although Thomas was offered contracts from modeling agencies, he never saw himself as a model. He knew he wanted to pursue an education beyond high school.
Instead, he spent six years in the Army Reserves with the 38th Combat Engineer Regiment. He was then recruited to Olds College after attending a volleyball tournament.
“Last year I graduated with a Diploma in Surface Land Management,” Thomas said. “With this under my belt, I can start my career whenever I want. I can fall for this. Now I can model this.”
After moving to Los Angeles, Thomas has been around the world, featured in Vogue magazine, appeared in commercials and met amazing people.
But despite his stereotypes, he carries the responsibility of being the role model he always wanted as a child.
“I go in and there are 10 stereotypes about me, about my people, that are based on ignorance,” Thomas said. I choose the life I live to break those stereotypes. That’s why my hair is long and that’s why I live sober.
The young model recently learned an important life lesson.
“One of the most important lessons we’ve learned is that everything you do affects seven generations before you. So we always look to the future,” he said.
“I don’t have any kids yet, but I have a lot of nieces and nephews,” he said. Everything I do is to show that it is possible because no one has ever shown me that growing up in Saskatchewan is possible.
Thomas says it’s not the only thing, but choosing a careful lifestyle has helped him succeed in life.
“When you’re young, make the choice to be sober. It really helps. It’s not everything, it doesn’t solve the puzzle, but it certainly helps. “
Thomas said he’s enjoying every opportunity he’s had in California, but he won’t forget where he came from.
“Someone recently asked me: Where is my favorite place in the world? I said home,” Thomas said. “I’ve traveled the world, but nothing beats home. For my people to live here, to have my family, the reserve where I grew up and where my ancestors grew up. I truly love being home more than anything else in the world.
