Born in Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Julien was the companion of the poet and Québec provincial MLA Gérald Godin, another Trifluvian and sovereignist. Julien performed pro-independence songs in Montréal clubs as early as 1964.

In 1965 she hosted the CBC television series Mon pays, mes chansons. At the CBC she also collaborated and recorded with pianist Herbert Ruff, and performed on the program On Stage. In 1970, Julien and Godin were arrested during the October Crisis and were released eight days later without charge.