[2][3] In Toronto's Regent Park, Harper had a difficult and traumatic childhood, and was placed into the foster care system after the death of his mother.
In the mid to late 1960s he lived in San Francisco, where he was a peer of the legendary singers Janis Joplin and Jim Morrison.
[9] He performed traditional aboriginal blessings, purification and healing ceremonies as part of Child Abuse Monument events, quilt square workshops and during activities in the sculpting studio and bronze casting foundry.
The Heyoka's humor and role as a clever and compassionate trickster were always close a hand in the traditional storytelling and ceremonies he performed.
The written message Elder Harper-Asin engraved in the permanence of bronze beside his monument hand laments, "I pray that the memory of the pain will leave forever – All my relations.
He was a strong leader and remained deeply connected to Okichitaw Martial Arts where he not only provided traditional knowledge, but also spiritual support for all those who participates in this indigenous system.