Born in Winnipeg, he studied sociology at the University of Winnipeg and sociology and demography the University of Western Ontario. His research areas have been in the social demography and health of Aboriginal peoples and social policy from a life course perspective. Past research topics have included First Nations mobility and migration, women’s experiences with social assistance, and indicators of well-being for Aboriginal populations. He is currently the principal investigator of a SSHRC-funded project examining the life course trajectories of First Nations and Métis people, and an editorial board member of the International Indigenous Policy Journal.