Armand Garnet Ruffo was born in Northern Ontario. He holds a Master's degree in literature and creative writing from the University of Windsor and an Honours degree in English from the University of Ottawa. His first collection of poetry, Opening in the Sky, which is strongly influenced by his Ojibway heritage, reveals an abiding interest in the complexities of Aboriginal identity in a multicultural society. His second book, Grey Owl: The Mystery of Archie Belaney, further `raises difficult questions about voice and identity, aboriginal culture, human rights and the environment.' His latest collection of poetry, At Geronimo’s Grave came out in 2001. In addition, he has written plays, stories and essays, which continue to appear in literary periodicals, including Dandelion, CVII, and absinthe, and anthologies in both Canada and the United States. He is the editor of a recent collection of essays on Aboriginal literature, (Ad)Dressing Our Words, Aboriginal Perspectives on Aboriginal Literatures (2001).

Armand's plays include Portrait of the Artist as Indian, an adaptation of his book Grey Owl: The Mystery of Archie Belaney, and A Windigo Tale, which won the 2000 CBC Arts Performance Showcase Competition.

Armand has previously taught creative writing at both the Banff Centre for the Arts and the En'owkin International School of Writing in Penticton, British Columbia. He now makes his home in Ottawa, where he teaches Native literature in the Department of English at Carleton University.