Champagne began life as one of seven sons in the rural setting of Belcourt, North Dakota, on the Turtle Mountain Reservation on May 18, 1951. Both of his parents were enrolled members of the Chippewa tribe. He attended school on the reservation from third grade through secondary school and, in 1969, graduated from Turtle Mountain Community High School. He stayed close to home during his undergraduate study, attending North Dakota State University in Fargo directly after high school. He received his bachelor of arts degree in mathematics and sociology in the summer of 1973.

Champagne did not take the traditional route from undergraduate work to graduate school. He opted instead for a tour of public service via Volunteer in Service to America (VISTA), the domestic counterpart of the peace corps. During his service, Champagne collected and analyzed data for the United Tribes Technical Training Center (now United Tribes Technical College) in Bismarck...