Barlett was born and raised in Duchess, Alberta and attended Augustana University College.
In 1977, Barlett earned her Bachelor of Science in Zoology at the University of Alberta before moving to Guelph for her Master's degree and PhD.
[1] In 1989, Barlett accepted a placement at Cape Breton University in the biology department before moving to Toqwa’tu’kl Kjijitaqnn / Integrative Science.
[2] By 2002, she was appointed a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Integrative Science.
"[4] As a result of research with Aboriginal Knowledge, she was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada in 2011 before retiring.