Ray is a member of the Sagamok Anishnabek First Nation who are a signatory to the Robinson-Huron Treaty of 1850. He has 35 years of Federal Public Service having worked with various federal departments, the Saskatchewan Provincial Government and was the Executive Director of the National Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres.
As Director-General, Individual Affairs, Department of Indian & Northern Affairs, Ray led the implementation of the new secure Certificate of Indian Status card which was been approved as a Federal secure Identity document and a transborder ID document by the US Department of Homeland Security. Ray also led the successful negotiation for the creation/recognition of a new First Nation Band in Newfoundland; a multi-million-dollar Subsurface Gas Storage Agreement between an Ontario First Nation & an Oil Company; Sale of Water from an Ontario First Nation to the City of Winnipeg, Manitoba and a total transfer of $680 million to two First Nations in Alberta from the INAC Capital Trust Account.
Following retirement from the Federal Government, Ray has worked as a Senior Advisor, Aboriginal Relations, Nuclear Waste Management Organization engaging with Indigenous communities in Ontario and securing formal participation relationship agreements. Ray has facilitated the Lessons Learned national meeting of the All-Parties Table, Federal Government, Churches and Survivors of the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement.
He also provided presentations to the Philippine National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, Office of the President, Manila, Philippines and at the General Assembly of the Congress of American Indians. His most recent work has been with Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation as a Senior Policy Analyst to the CEO and Negotiation Advisor within the Chief’s Office.
Ray has an Honours Bachelor of Commerce from Laurentian University and Bachelor of Law Degree from Queens University.