Born and raised in the Millbrook Mi'kmaw Community, Truro, NS, Don Julien has worked throughout his life toward a better future for the Mi'kmaw people. Following high school completion, Don spent five years with the Canadian Armed Forces, which included a six-month tour of duty in Cyprus with the United Nations. To this day, he advocates great respect for the military and is a member of the Indian War Veterans Association.

Upon his return to Millbrook, he undertook post secondary education on a part-time basis studying Anthropology and History at Saint Mary's University and later attending the University of Saskatchewan in the Native Studies Program.

With firm roots in the Mi'kmaw community, Don began his lifelong journey dedicated to the study, research, advocacy, promotion and sharing of the rich culture and history of the Mi'kmaq people of Nova Scotia. From 1970-1975, he was employed as the Assistant Research Director of the Union of Nova Scotia Indians. In 1975-1976, he worked for the Institute of Public Affairs, Dalhousie University and traveled throughout Nova Scotia researching the economic and employment patterns of the Mi'kmaq.

From 1976-1981, Don held the position of Executive Director of the Micmac Arts and Crafts Society of Nova Scotia during which time he again traveled the Mi'kmaw communities encouraging the revival of traditional Mi'kmaw crafts. He organized training courses on each of the Mi'kmaw communities in NS, undertook several marketing and promotion initiatives, and began to develop his talents as a speaker and presenter.

Employed with the federal government from 1982-1986, Don held positions with the Department of Indian Affairs (Lands Management Officer) and Health Canada (Financial Administrative Officer).

In 1986, Don was recruited by Daniel Paul, founding Executive Director of the Confederacy of Mainland Mi'kmaq (CMM), to fill the organization's key position of Research Director for Land Claims, Aboriginal and Treaty Rights. In Paul's opinion, Julien was the best in the field, and he insisted on hiring him to fill the position. His faith in Don's research ability was rewarded handsomely. Mostly, on his own initiative, Don developed a professional productive reaearch unit, which continues to expand.

In 1994, after Paul's resignation, CMM's Board of Directors appointed Don to his present position as Executive Director. Under his direction, CMM has built upon the strong foundation established under the leadership of Paul, as one of the best operated tribal councils in Canada, and one with a solid financial position. It now has a staff of 60 plus.

With his dedication, hard work, knowledge of history and culture, and commitment to a better future for his people, Don began to fill many speaking engagements and deliver a variety of presentations to a spectrum of audiences. He has addressed every university in Nova Scotia generously sharing his knowledge with faculty as well as students. Church groups, community groups, public schools, governments, Mi'kmaw communities, TV, radio - all have had the opportunity to hear him speak, enhancing cross cultural understanding throughout Nova Scotia.

In 1997, Don addressed the Sinclair Symposium in Orkney, Scotland where he was made an honorary citizen of the town of Kirkwall. In 2000, he was entrusted as keeper of the Sword of Peace presented to the Mi'kmaq by the Chief of the Sinclair Clan at Guysborough, NS.

Since 1999, Don has enjoyed his participation as Chair of the RCMP Divisional Aboriginal Advisory Committee on policing matters. As well, he is a member of the Commissioner's National Aboriginal Advisory Committee, which addresses policing matters affecting Aboriginal Communities throughout the entire country.

Don Julien has developed many reference materials, and contributed to several publications. He is credited with the research involved in the publication "We Were Not the Savages" by Daniel Paul, Fernwood Publishing, 2000. Other bibliographical citations include:

Julien,Don. (1997). The Micmac Story. In The Mi'kmaq Anthology, edited by Rita Joe & Lesley Choyce. Lawrencetown Beach, Nova Scotia: Pottersfield Press.

Julien, Donald M. (a) (no date). An Overview of Micmac and the Colonial Government of 1713 to 1866. Truro, Nova Scotia: The Confederacy of Mainland Mi'kmaq.

Julien, Donald M. (b) (no date) Historical perspective on Micmac Indians: pre and post contact period. Truro, Nova Scotia: The Confederacy of Mainland Mi'kmaq.

Don has not limited his presentations to Nova Scotians. In 2001, he spoke at the Canadian Embassy in Washington at the opening of " Mikwite'lmanej Mikmaqi'k: Let Us Remember the Old Mi'kmaq" - a traveling museum exhibit which he initiated in partnership with the Peabody Institute, Andover, Mass. Two copies of this exhibit continue to circulate in the eastern USA and Atlantic Canada.

Don has been frequently invited to advise the office of the Auditor General on various Mi'kmaw matters and has appeared before several Parliamentary Standing Committees.

Don was instrumental in the development of a Code of Ethics to guide all research initiatives pertaining to the Mi'kmaq. As well as protecting the intellectual ownership of the research on behalf of the Mi'kmaq, the Code serves to ensure that certain professional standards are followed. All research is now recorded with the Code of Ethics Committee ensuring the Mi'kmaq have knowledge and tracking of all research. Don continues to be an active participant in this Committee.

On October 5, 2004, Don was awarded the Order of Nova Scotia. The Order recognizes individuals who have demonstrated excellence and achievement in any field of endeavor benefiting in an outstanding manner, the province and its residents.

On May 16, 2005, Don was granted an Honorary Doctorate of Civil Laws from Acadia University. He was selected for this honor because of his dedication to the study and advocacy of the culture and heritage of the Mi'kmaw people of Nova Scotia.

In his leisure time, Don enjoys reading history books and can frequently be seen at the local golf club.

Don resides in Onslow, Nova Scotia with his wife Diane. He enjoys and takes pride in his three sons and one daughter; Donnie, a siding contractor in Calgary, Troy a five year member of the R.C.M.P presently stationed on Highway in Patrol in Southwest Nova Scotia, Justin, who works in Human Resources, and daughter Denise of Truro, a cake decorator and housewife. Don has five Grandchildren, two in Calgary; Tanner and Toni, and three in Truro, Colby, Patrick and Lucus.