Noel was born on Red Pheasant First Nation, was a World War II Veteran with the 1st Canadian Paratroopers Battalion, and a renowned Plains Cree Artist who fell in love with art at a very early age. He always told stories of his childhood memories being raised on the reserve. His mother was always writing poetry and commenting on how beautiful the sunsets were. His fondest childhood memories were of jigging to his father playing the violin. Noel believed art and life were like a natural impulse: life, the art of living, and communicating to one another, is like a beautiful work of art.