Peigan man receives award

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The man who brought circle sentencing to the Peigan Nation has ended an illustrious career in counselling.

Philip Big Swan retired from Native Counselling Services in Lethbridge in March, just months after winning a Medal of Distinction from the Nechi Institute in Edmonton. He was one of 30 Canadians honoured for his work in the area of Native addictions.

"I was not surprised to be nominated," he said, "but to receive the award I was very surprised."

Three hundred people were nominated for the distinction and Big Swan was the only recipient from southern Alberta.

Big Swan served as regional supervisor with Native Counselling Services for 14 years, where he oversaw work done in justice and social services.

It is his work in the justice area, however, that Big Swan will be most remembered for.

He was instrumental in starting one of the first circle sentencing forums in the province, within the Peigan Nation.

"A lot of the Native people weren't being properly represented in the provincial courts and that was one of the needs I saw. There was a Native justice that also works in the provincial courts and that's how I introduced it."

But it wasn't easy, he recalled.

"It was very difficult to convince non-Natives when I first tried to introduce it to the communities and the provincial courts. They weren't very receptive. All doors were closed, but that didn't deter me from pursuing circle sentencing. I just kept knocking on the doors."

The success of the practice on the Peigan Nation has seen doors opened with the urban Aboriginal population.

In February, the second circle sentencing was held in Lethbridge. Big Swan had started the process in the fall of 1998 and although it was easier to get implemented than the first one had been 13 years ago, there were still hurdles.

Although circle sentencing is being embraced all across the country, Big Swan would like to see it used more often and in more situations. More public education is needed about the process for that to happen, he said. But at least it's started.