Idris was born in Qikiqtarjuaq (Broughton Island) in 1974. His mother is Inuit and his father is Welsh. Idris was raised in Broughton Island and then moved south with his family. While living in Toronto he started carving, working alongside well-known artists Manasie Akpaliapik and David Ruben Piqtoukun. His mother Geela Alikatuktuk carves in stone, ivory, antler and bone as well as being a talented tapestry artist. He now resides in Ottawa.