Norman Fleury was born and raised in St. Lazare, Manitoba. Previously director of Michif Languages for the Manitoba Métis Federation, he is a strong leader in the battle to preserve Michif/Cree languages. He has translated more than 20 children's books and other resources, including the comprehensive Canadian Michif Language Dictionary, into Michif. He has been a special lecturer and Michif advisor in the Department of Curriculum Studies at the University of Saskatchewan and received an honorary doctorate from Brandon University in recognition of a lifetime spent preserving, teaching, and developing the Michif language.