He was awarded the CM (Member of the Order of Canada) on May 3, 2007 and invested on April 11, 2008 from the Canadian Governor General in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. He is a master of traditional Métis fiddling and is a musical ambassador for his culture. He has also been a driving force behind the preservation of unrecorded Métis tunes. He has applied his skills as a performer and educator to promoting and popularizing this unique musical heritage. Through endeavors such as the John Arcand Fiddle Fest, and as a representative of Western Canada at the Fiddles of the World Conference, he has inspired other fiddlers to embrace this art form and has helped to bring it to light for both Canada and the world.