Eldena Bear Don't Walk facts for kids

Eldena Bear Don't Walk was born in Missoula, Montana. She is an American lawyer, a judge, and a politician. She is a member of the Crow Tribe of Montana. She made history as the first woman to be the Chief Justice of the Crow tribal court. She is also connected to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.

Eldena has served as a judge for several other Tribal Courts. These courts help solve legal issues within Native American tribes. She also leads the Indian Law section of the State Bar of Montana. This group helps lawyers who work on laws related to Native American people.

Early Life and Education

Eldena Bear Don't Walk comes from a family of important leaders. Her father, Urban Bear Don't Walk, was one of the first Native American lawyers to graduate from the University of Montana School of Law in 1975. He also started the Crow Tribal Court. Her mother, Marjorie Bear Don't Walk, is known as an activist and a fashion designer.

Eldena earned two degrees from the University of Montana School of Law. She received a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) and a Juris Doctor (JD). Later, in 2013, she earned another advanced law degree, a master of laws (LLM), from the Rogers College of Law at the University of Arizona in Tucson.

Public Service and Family

In 2018, Eldena Bear Don't Walk ran for a political office. She was a Democrat candidate for a seat in the Montana House of Representatives. This area, District 93, is in the Mission Valley and includes part of the Flathead Indian Reservation.

Eldena also has a daughter named Mitchell Rose Bear Don't Walk, who is known as Rose. Rose is a botanist, which means she studies plants. She is also part of the Tribal Youth Health Advisory Board for the National Indian Health Board. This group helps advise on health issues for young Native Americans. Rose is also a host on the popular YouTube channel SciShow.

See also

• List of Native American jurists