Alfred
J. Scow -
Vancouver
![Click on image for full-size version](/web/20061229015624im_/http://www.protocol.gov.bc.ca/protocol/prgs/obc/2004/2004_Scow_sm.jpg) Alfred
Scow began fishing with his father at the age of six. By 15 he had
his own boat, fishing for salmon, and later he financed his university
education as a crewman on halibut and salmon boats.
Mr. Scow was
the first Aboriginal graduate of the UBC Faculty of Law in 1961,
and the first Aboriginal person in Canada to be appointed as a judge,
which he served as for 23 years.
Mr. Scow has
a profound influence on those with whom he comes in contact with.
Over the course of many years, he made an immeasurable contribution
to the legal community, the aboriginal community, and to society
at large, at local, national and international levels.
He is an extraordinary
man of inspiration and vision. During his tenure as a Judge, his
peers regarded him as knowledgeable and wise. Today, a number of
aboriginal men and women are involved in the law and other professions
because he was such a positive role model. He was also a role model
for those interested in becoming contributing members of society
and community leaders.
Mr. Scow represented
Canada as a member of the Amerindian Lands Commission in Guyana,
South America, and was chair of an advisory review committee to
the Workers' Compensation Board. He is the founding president of
the Scow Institute for Communicating Information on Aboriginal Issues.
Mr. Scow has given enormously of his time, expertise and wisdom
as both a volunteer and through his life's work. He also fundraised
for good causes, including single-handedly raising funds from provincial
judges to fully endow a bursary for needy law students. He has actively
participated in many boards and committees respecting law, education
and community.
In addition
to many other honours, Mr. Scow was awarded the Order of Canada,
the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal, and the Canadian Indian Arts Foundation
Aboriginal Achievement Award.
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