Natural around Whycocomagh, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, she is the daughter of Josie & Annie Bernard.

Within 1992, she was called to the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, one of the few non-politicians ever appointed.

She married Frank Joe inside 1954. It got eight kids & adopted Deuce boys.

Works
Verse form of Rita Joe (1978) Song of Eskasoni (1988) ''Lnu & Indians I personally're Known as (1991) Kelusultiek (1995) Song of Ritthe Joe - Autobiography of a Mi'kmaq Poet (1996, ISBN 0803275943) A Mi'kmaq Anthology'' (1997)

Honours
Around 1989 she was made the Member of the Order of Canada. Around 1993 she was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws from Dalhousie University. Inside 1997 she was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Letters from either a University College of Cape Breton. Inside 1997 she received the National Aboriginal Achievement Award. Within 1998 she was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Mount Saint Vincent University.

Quotes
"Indians have in the past been portrayed the bad guys, I write the positive image of my people, the Mi'kmaq." "When I started the first time writing, I was trying to inspire all minorities with my work. To make others happy with my work is what I wanted to do."