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CROSS EXAMINED Corralling alternative justice Judge Eugene Creighton is the first Blood Tribe member named to an Alberta court and likely one of the only judges who competes in calf-roping competitions. BY KELLY HARRIS N ewly appointed Alberta Provincial Court Judge Eugene Creighton has rodeo coursing through his veins. A member of the Blood Tribe and Kainai First Nation, the calf-roping veteran still keeps horses at his ranch near High River, Alta. But today it is a justice system of fines and incar- ceration he hopes to corral, in favour of one seeking alternative measures to improve the chances of success for aboriginals. While rodeo is still in his blood, at 60, Creighton finds it hard to compete with the younger breed of cowboys, preferring to calf rope at the less for- mal "jackpot" rodeos. "I mostly go to jackpots because rodeos are a little too quick for me, I'm getting up there in the years," he says. One place where the younger set won't want to tangle with the judge is in the courtroom. He has seen it all. A product of the residential school system, a former prison guard, and probation officer, there is no doubt the judge has heard all the excuses. But it doesn't stop him from looking for new ways to straighten out the defendants who've gone off course that he'll be see- ing before him. A staunch believer in alternative justice, when dealing with aboriginal defendants Creighton will advocate for a peacemaker approach with his col- leagues on the bench. "Hopefully I can really start enhancing the issues of alternative sentencing and peacemak- ing. And really, maybe, shed some light with my brothers and sisters on the bench that there are, probably are, bet- ter alternatives for First Nations dealing with their issues . . . it'll take time." Creighton is more than ready to face "I mostly go to jackpots because rodeos are a little too quick for me, I'm getting up there in the years," says Judge Eugene Creighton, Alberta Provincial Court. 12 A UGUST 2009 www. C ANADIAN Law ye rmag.com the challenge. Alternative justice has been a constant theme in his life going back to when he first began working as a probation officer in Southern Alberta when he was 23 years old. Alberta Justice had just begun a program where offenders could choose to work off their fines by doing community service. The Blood Tribe had no such program, so the young probation officer took it