The author was born in northwestern New Mexico, where at an early age he attended a government boarding school. Later he moved to Los Angeles with his relatives, finishing high school and attending a junior college there. He attended Brigham Young University but transferred to University of New Mexico where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism. Following his graduation, he went to Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky to obtain a Master of Arts degree in Journalism. After graduation, he worked for the Albuquerque Journal in Albuquerque for a number of years. He also worked for the Navajo Times in Window Rock, Arizona, the Lake Powell Chronicle in Page, Arizona, and The Foothills People in Salt Lake City, Utah. As a freelance writer, he contributed articles to the Navajo Times, Indian Country Today, and some magazines. After retirement, he has traveled as a Native American powwow dancer in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, California, Idaho, Utah, and New Mexico. He now makes his home in Heber City, Utah.