Member of the Order of Canada

• Awarded on: April 27, 2000
• Invested on: February 28, 2001

He was one of the first Aboriginals to be appointed a judge in Canada. Respected by First Nations and the legal community, he founded the Canadian Indian Lawyers Association, which later became the Indigenous Bar Association. He has also acted as a mediator between the provincial and federal governments concerning Native issues. Deeply committed to the Native community, he has been a mentor to many Aboriginal youth, sharing his knowledge and experience and empowering them to achieve their goals.