Shay Runner is the great-grandson of the late Chief Big Belly and Maggie Big Belly and Oscar and Daisy Otter. Shay grew up on Tsuut’ina Nation looking up to his grandparents – the late George and Rose Runner – and continues to pass their values and traditions down to his family. Shay is married to his wife Robyn of 12 years and has five adult children and four grandchildren.
Shay was elected in November of 2019 for his first term, before which he worked ten years for the Tsuut’ina Education Department as a provincial school liaison, alongside teachers and support staff from the Calgary Catholic, CBE, and Rockyview school districts. Through the years, Shay has worked for the Tsuut’ina Gas Stop, Redwood Meadows Golf Course, and The Wolf Flats Ordnance and Disposal Corporation.
Shay lived in Edmonton, AB, for nine years, where he attended school at the Yellowhead Tribal College, taking the First Nation Business program. Shay is well known to his community for respect and kindness towards others, building a positive rapport with everyone, and being a dedicated, hard-working team player.
“Be strong when you are weak; be brave when you are scared; be humble when you are victorious.”
