STEPHEN RAYNER, whose traditional name is n̓aasquʔisʔatḥ, was elected to the Huu-ay-aht First Nations Government in 2023 and holds the portfolios for Green Energy, Law and Policy, and Capital Raise. He also serves as Chair of the Board of Directors for Clean Energy BC and Vice-Chair of the First Nations Steering Committee, where he champions Indigenous leadership in British Columbia’s clean energy transition.
Stephen comes from the family of Aah-paat, Maggie Mack and Na’kapandzilas, Harry Mountain, ḥaw̓iił, who had a daughter, Tuutaylim, Louisa Watts (née Mack). Tuutaylim and Washimal’a Hishtsukwat, Thomas Watts Sr. had Tuutaaʔ ap, Thomas Watts Jr. Tuutaaʔ ap and Chief Lian Dolly McRae (née Morgan) had Tuk-quuileh-sup, Cynthia Rayner (née Watts), mother to Stephen Rayner. Stephen also carries close ties to the Sport, Johnson, and Nookemus families.
Before entering elected leadership, Stephen built a successful career as a Geomatics Professional. He developed and led the Community Infrastructure Development Department at Barkley Project Group, managing a multidisciplinary team that supported First Nations in infrastructure planning, project management, policy and regulation development, capacity building, and economic development initiatives.
Prior to his time with Barkley Project Group, Stephen worked for Huu-ay-aht First Nations for over seven years, where he oversaw the planning, design, construction, commissioning, and maintenance of community infrastructure. He holds a Diploma in Geomatics from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT).
Through his professional and elected roles, Stephen continues to advocate for self-determination, sustainable energy sovereignty, and community-driven economic development for Huu-ay-aht and Indigenous Nations across British Columbia.