Les’ parents were strong advocates for getting an education to better the lives of their children and contribute to their community.  Les and his siblings completed high school.  Some went on to obtain University degrees and College diplomas.

During his teens and early twenties, Les actively played organized hockey and was a proud member of the 1972 Championship Warriors Hockey Team.  Les began his professional career as a provincial civil servant, but soon wanted to do more within his own community, Nipissing First Nation (NFN). He advanced from an alcohol/drug/youth worker, to become the first Indigenous Police Officer for NFN, then its Economic Development Officer, to Native Development Officer for Canadore College bringing career counselling to all First Nations in the James Bay area between Ottawa and Thunder Bay.  Les concluded his career with the Anishinabek Nation establishing and directing the Anishinabek Seventh Generation Charity where he closely worked with many of his sports heroes including, Johnny Bower, Pat Gillick, Bobby Baun, Ron Ellis, Dave Hutchinson, Ted Nolan, Frank Mahovlich, Kent Douglas, Rene Robert and George Armstrong.