Robert was born in Edmonton, Alberta and spend his first seven years there. He moved to the North in 1969 and has become a long term NWT resident, residing here for over 50 years. He currently lives in Fort Providence and is a member and former councilor of the Deh Gah Gotie First Nation. He is a current member and the Vice President of the Zhati Koe Friendship Centre Board.
Robert has other board experience as well having formerly served as; a member of the certification committee for the NWT Water and Waste Association, the Dehcho Divisional Education Council, and chair of the Fort Providence Housing Association.
Robert's previous employment includes time as the Water Treatment Plant Operator and the Works Foreman for the Hamlet of Fort Providence and was also engaged in their budget and capital planning. More recently he worked for BluMetric Environmental Inc who had been contracted for the operation and maintenance of an Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) at the now closed Giant Mine gold mine in Yellowknife.
Robert was appointed to the NWT Surface Rights Board as a non-regional alternate member in 2020 and then to a non-regional member in 2022. He is currently serving his first term.