- This is an article about the Sheliak race. You may also be looking for the star named Sheliak.
The Sheliak were a non-humanoid R3-type lifeform whose homeworld was located in the Shelia star system. They appeared to be people hiding under king-size 600 thread count down comforters.
Unlike most humanoids, the Sheliak preferred to exist in an environment that was the same temperature as their bodies. (TNG: "Starship Mine") The Sheliak were also a xenophobic people, and avoided contact with the Federation whenever possible. This may have been due to the Sheliak attitude that humanoids were an inferior form of life (often pejoratively describing them as creatures).
The Treaty of Armens was established in 2255 between the Sheliak governing body, called "the Corporate", and the Federation which ceded several worlds to the Sheliak. There was virtually no contact with the Sheliak for over a century thereafter, until they demanded that a Federation colony on Tau Cygna V be removed. Apparently, they (like the Human colonists of that world) were immune to hyperonic radiation, as they were not concerned this would be a problem. The Sheliak colonists referred to themselves as "the Membership". (TNG: "The Ensigns of Command")