Shawn was born and raised in Seattle, Washington USA and is the great Grandson to Nancy and John Scotchman, grandson to Pauline Paul (Scotchman), and son to Jenny Frank (Scotchman). Shawn moved home to Lillooet in December 1985 and worked for the local saw mill for 2 years before joining the St’at’imc Tribal Police until June 2001.

Shawn began his studies at SFU in September 2001 and in 2006 he gained a Bachelor of General Studies, with Double Minor in Anthropology and Political Science. In 2006, Shawn started working for T’it’q’et Administrations as a Social Development worker and at the same time Shawn completed his Masters degree in Human Services from Capella University. In 2018, Shawn became the T’it’q’et Health and Social Service Manager until 2020.

In June 2020, Shawn moved to Kamloops to be the Secwepemc (Shuswap) Health Caucus Nation Health Manager for 16 Communities. Shawn returned to T’it’q’et Administration in May 2025 as the Social Development Manager. Shawn has also worked for T’it’q’et as the Emergency Program Coordinator (previously named Emergency Social Service Director), he was the Indian Registry Clerk and looked after the T’it’q’et Youth Program.

Shawn is a father of 5 adult children (Daughter Desiree Scotchman passed) and has 8 grandchildren.  Shawn is a big Seattle Seahawks fan.