Frank Laurie Barron was born on March 13, 1942. He received a B.A. (1965-66) in history, M.A. (1968), and M.Phil (1970) in Canadian history, all from the University of Waterloo, and a Ph.D. (1976) in Canadian social history from the University of Guelph. Prior to his appointment at the University of Saskatchewan, he was an assistant professor at Brandon University (1976-1982). He was appointed as an associate professor at the University of Saskatchewan in 1982, as one of the founding members of the Department of Native Studies. He was the head of the department from 1985-1991. He was the founding editor of the Native Studies Review (1984-1995), published at the University of Saskatchewan, and resumed duties as editor in 1999. His books include Walking in Indian moccasins: the native policies of Tommy Douglas and the CCF (1997); Urban Indian reserves: forging new relationships in Saskatchewan (1999, edited with Joseph Garcea); and 1885 and after: native society in transition (1986, edited with James Waldram). He died in Saskatoon on January 11, 2000.