- Cree was the only language spoken among his family, and he only became fluent in English in his teens.
- Father, Joe Highway, was a trapper and fisherman, and a legendary dog-sled racer.
- For the first six years of his life he lived a traditional nomadic lifestyle in the remote forests and lakes of northwestern Manitoba.
- Graduated from Churchill Highschool in Winnipeg, where he stayed with a number of white foster families,in 1970.
- Sent to a Roman Catholic residential school at the age of six. He stayed there until age fifteen.
- Spent two years at the University of Manitoba Faculty of Music studying piano, which he had picked up at the age of thirteen. Then studied to be a concert pianist under William Aide in London, England. Returned to the University of Manitoba after a year. The next year he went to the University of Western Ontario and graduated with a Bachelor of Music in May 1975. He stayed another year to complete English courses required for a Bachelor of Arts degree.
- Was Artistic Director at Native Earth Performing Arts, Toronto for over 5 years.
- Was the eleventh of twelve children, five boys and seven girls. Only six of the eleven are alive today.
- He was awarded the C.M. (Member of the Order of Canada) on October 27, 1993 and invested on April 13, 1994 by the Canadian Governor General. He uses his formidable talents as a playwright, producer and director to reflect the richness of Native people's culture and spiritualism. His work provides welcome opportunities for Native actors and technicians and, at the same time, enriches all Canadians through the insight and understanding intrinsic in his unique artistry. He was awarded The O.C. (Officer of the Order of Canada) on November 17, 2021 by the Canadian Governor General in Gatineau, Quebec, Canada.
- Noelville, Ontario, Canada (June 2007)
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