Daniel N. Paul was born in 1938 on the Indian Brook Reserve, Hants County, Nova Scotia. He resides in Halifax with his wife Patricia. They have two daughters, Lenore and Cerena. Paul is an ardent spokesperson and activist for human rights. He is freelance lecturer and journalist, has a small advisory business, is a Justice of the Peace for the province of Nova Scotia, a commissioner with Nova Scotia Police Commission and is involved in a multitude of other activities. He has served on several other provincial commissions, including the Human Rights Commission and the Nova Scotia Department of Justice's Court Re-structuring Task Force. He holds, among many awards, an honourary degree in Letters, University of Sainte Anne, Church Point, Nova Scotia, is a member of the Order of Canada and is a member of the Order of Nova Scotia. From 1971 until 1986 Paul was employed by the Department Of Indian Affairs—the last five years as District Superintendent of Reserves and Trusts for the Nova Scotia District. In 1986 he accepted employment as the founding executive director of what became known as the Confederacy of Mainland Mi'kmaq (CMM). After building the Tribal Council into what became one of the best operated in the country he retired from the position in 1994.