Clayton Kootenay started his career working for his First Nation in 1997 and was later recruited to work as youth program coordinator for Treaty 6. In 1999, he joined Oteenow Employment and Training Society, where he worked as marketing and communications director and youth program coordinator before becoming executive director in 2001. Clayton is currently the MOU team lead of Treaty 6, 7, and 8, and he has served as chairman both of the Alexander First Nation Education Authority and its board. He is an accomplished sculptor and painter, he has a BA in Native studies from the University of Alberta, and he is a graduate of Victoria School of the Arts.