Solomon Ratt was born to parents who were trappers and fishers. He learned nîhithawin (Woods Cree) at their knees. At the age of six Solomon was abducted from his home and taken to the residential school where he began his schooling. After the residential school he attended Riverside Collegiate High School. He attended the University of Regina earning two BAs and an MA. His significant work teaching Cree has been recognized with the Saskatchewan Order of Merit (2021), the Queen’s Platinum Medal (2022), and he was appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada (2024).
He began teaching Cree language and storytelling at First Nations University in 1984, retiring in 2022. Solomon’s publications include nîhithaw âcimowina – Woods Cree Stories (2014), mâci-nêhiyawêwin – Beginning Cree (2016), and âhkami-nêhiyawêtân – Let’s Keep Speaking Cree (2022), both published by the University of Regina Press. Another book published by the University of Regina Press, kâ-pî-isi-kiskisiyân / ᑳᐲᐃᓯᑭᐢᑭᓯᔮᐣ / The Way I Remember, won two Saskatchewan Book Awards in 2024.